Carolinian

Issue date: 1/24/06 Section: Campus News

Media Credit: LESLEY VEACH/OFFICE OF LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE Happy bowl shoppers, helping the homeless with their purchase.

Students, faculty and staff were delighted to see the Empty Bowls project back in full swing in the Atrium Thursday, January 19. As they hurried to class and work, they paused to admire the handcrafted dishes, many stopping to buy a bowl to add to their already substantial collection.

Among these were big names such as Bruce Michaels, director of the Office of Student Life, Vice Chancellor Disque and even Chancellor Sullivan herself.

Quickly becoming an annual affair and almost a tradition at UNCG, the colorful bowls painted by students back in November were on sale for a mere four dollars.

Purchasing a bowl not only guaranteed the lucky customer a ceramic dish to take home, but some mouthwatering chili or savory vegetable soup to go in it. The bowls are microwave and dishwasher safe as they were professionally glazed in Greensboro.

Participating in the fundraiser were the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Office of Leadership & Service Learning, MADHouse, the Office of Student Life and many student volunteers. Everyone working with the project went through a brief training which helped them explain to curious consumers the reasons and effects of malnourishment and homelessness around the world.

Beth Smith, between holding up picket signs and selling the bowls, commented,

"I've learned a lot about hunger just from being a part of this program."

One of the signs read: More than 800 million people suffer from hunger worldwide, and to that, Smith responded,

"I think one of the hardest things to grasp is that there are so many causes of hunger."

Another sign proclaimed: at UNCG, we waste 75 pounds of food everyday. This study was performed by the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling, which frustrated a few students to the point that they decided to see what could be done about it.

Close to 300 bowls were sold at this year's event, an overall increase of 50 bowls since least year. Over $1,200 was raised, and for those who missed out on the affair, a few remaining bowls are still on sale in the Office of Leadership & Service Learning.

The proceeds will go to benefit Greensboro Urban Ministries, a charitable organization that helps the less fortunate in the Triad area. The liaison between the campus and Urban Ministries, Evelyn Parks, showed up to show her support and help out as well encouraging students to write letters to their legislature on the issue.

One of the coordinators of the event, Leslie Veach said;

"The whole this is a huge success, and a wonderful opportunity for the campus to learn a lot about hunger and homelessness as well as how to do something about it."

The two main motivations for the project were to raise money and to raise awareness of food shortage locally as well as globally. This event will hopefully be followed up in mid March by a week long commemoration dealing with the same topics and cosponsored by various campus clubs and departments.

For more information on this or any other UNCG service projects, please visit the Office of Leadership & Service Learning in the Elliot University Center, go to their website, olsl.uncg.edu or email them at lead@uncg.edu.

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