Reader commends university for Empty Bowls event
On Sunday afternoon, April 19, a group of Waynesburg University Bonner Scholar students hosted the Empty Bowls event at the Greene County Fairgrounds to raise money for the Weekend Food Program.
I truly want to call attention to the wonderful job by Waynesburg University Bonner Scholar Rebecca Shindelar and her team of students, faculty, and community members who planned and executed this event. It’s not often that you see such selflessness and service by college students – but our Waynesburg University students are the cream of the crop!
Becca and her team pulled together a great afternoon with soups provided by Chef Dan Wagner and the student volunteers from Greene County Career & Technology Center Culinary Arts program, and artisan breads supplied by Rising Creek Bakery. They worked with Jim and Linda Winegar of Artbeat to organize a silent auction with numerous pottery bowls, vases, and mugs and other handcrafts and books donated by local artisans.
Those who attended the event got to choose from a large selection of ceramic bowls handcrafted by students, faculty and staff of Waynesburg University, Winegar Pottery, and other local artists for each attendee to take home (hence Empty Bowls.)
These students took time from their studies and other activities to bring together students, faculty and staff of the University, members of the Greene County community and so many others to help end hunger for children by raising funds for the Weekend Food Program. All of the funds raised through the tickets for the event and the silent auction will be distributed by CFGC to each of the five school districts in the county to purchase food as part of the packs for the weekends when some children and their families may need additional help with food needs.
About 140 children across the five school districts in Greene County receive weekly packs of food during the school year. With an average cost of five dollars per child each week, or about $195 per child over the school year, it takes close to $25,000 to purchase food each year. Support for the program is raised through the help of grants, donations and events like Empty Bowls. The funds raised at this event will help ensure that the program will be able to start up and serve children for the next school year.
So kudos to these students as well as to Waynesburg University President Doug Lee, Bonner Scholar Program Coordinator Adrienne Tharp and all the university leaders for encouraging the students to become involved in the community.
Many, many thanks to Becca and her team of volunteers for their hard work in putting this event together. Special thanks also go out to the St. Ann Catholic Church Knights of Columbus and to Baily Insurance for their generous sponsorships for the event. Most of all, thank you to everyone who bought tickets and made donations to help make this event so successful. Your support makes a difference in the life of a child, and in the life of our community!
Bettie Stammerjohn
Executive Director, Community Foundation of Greene County
Fiscal sponsor for the Greene County Weekend Food Program