Volunteer potters work in the background of Roberson’s Clayworks studio, preparing over 300 handcrafted bowls for an April 4 deadline. It’s all for a good cause–to raise money for people who go without meals in the Binghamton community.
This effort is part of a nation-wide project done for the benefit of helping local food banks and soup kitchens. “Potters contribute bowls that they make to an organization that will then turn around and turn the proceeds over to their local food bank,” says Mary-Ann, a teacher at Roberson’s Clayworks studio.
Mary-Ann’s advanced students get together in January using recycled clay to make the bowls, so nothing goes to waste. They work until April throwing, molding, and painting these beautiful bowls to get ready for a luncheon put on by UHS.
People come and select a bowl to keep, and they pay $25 and get a lunch to go along with their memento.
“The idea is that when you use that bowl you think of people in your area that can’t fill it, so that’s the concept of empty bowls. So that you are helping to supply the food banks. ”
She’s been involved in the program since it started 14 years ago.
Mary-Ann says many people come to this luncheon year after year for the cause and also to get a handcrafted piece from their favorite local artist.
“A lot of people come back looking for their favorite potter. It’s fun to watch people walking around with two or three [bowls] the same time trying to figure out which one they want.”
For $25 guests receive a delicious lunch of soup, salad, and sweets provided by the Compass Group and UHS Food & Nutrition.
This year UHS is doing two luncheons to benefit the Food Bank of the Southern Tier:
April 4 at UHS Wilson Medical Center
April 5 at UHS B inghamton General Hospital
Be sure to get your ticket early, as Mary-Ann has said her volunteers will only be able to make 320 bowls.
Contact Chris Zduniak at 763-6382 or Sarah Deamond at 763-6068 to reserve your tickets.
