USI's fifth annual Empty Bowls Evansville comes to Sauced

University of Southern Indiana ceramics students have worked with volunteers from across the University and throughout the community to create 1,000 ceramic bowls for the 2016 Evansville Bowls Evansville, a charity event to be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 5 at Sauced, restaurant located in the Haynie's Corner Arts District. Empty Bowls is a national non-profit organization that lends its name to any organization that wants to raise funds for hunger by making and selling ceramic bowls.

This is the fifth Empty Bowls event that Alisa (AL) Holen, assistant professor of ceramics, has organized at USI. USI ceramics students worked with many volunteer groups including local civic groups and businesses, high schools and various USI student organizations and employees. USI ceramics students learn and practice making bowls on the potter's wheel for the first four weeks of the semester and then instruct volunteers on creating the bowls for Empty Bowls.

At this year's events, all bowls made by the community are available for a $10 donation, which included gourmet soup and bread. Empty Bowls also will feature a "Pro-Bowl" room with professionally made bowls at higher prices.

Soup will be provided by Sauced, Perfectly Fresh, Tom & Chee, Bokeh Lounge, Smitty's/Gerst Haus, Deerhead Sidewalk Café, Pangea, Just Rennie's, Mary and Martha's Catering; bread by Great Harvest and beverages by Tropicana, Evansville.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to area food-based charities assisting Evansville's homeless population. Last year, Empty Bowls raised $10,000 for ECHO Housing Inc., which allowed them to open a food bank. An additional $1,500 was given to both Patchwork Central and United Caring Services.

For more information contact Al Holen at 812-228-5127 or aiholen@usi.edu.