MCC Joins in Efforts to Assist Paz de Cristo

Empty Bowls EventEmpty Bowls Event It may take a village to raise a child, but sometimes it takes a village to sustain the village itself. Such was the case when a fire broke out at Paz de Cristo Community Center this past spring, rendering the center’s kitchen unusable.  The center, which serves about 200 meals to those in need in the East Valley each night, was unsure how it would continue its mission to help the poor.

Thanks to an outpouring of support and generosity from community restaurants, businesses, faith groups and individuals, Paz de Cristo was able to continue its nightly service. These local restaurants donated catered food or provided food at cost to donors at the center, proving that with assistance and support, Paz de Cristo is an unstoppable source of support for Valley residents.

“The community really rallied behind us,” said Christine Oliviero, business manager/volunteer coordinator for Paz de Cristo. “We were very thankful for their donations.”

Following along those lines, Mesa Community College will be holding two fundraisers to further support the anti-hunger and empowerment services offered by the non-profit agency, Paz de Cristo.

For a $10 donation, those attending Empty Bowl events can take home a one-of-a-kind bowl made by accomplished local artists and dine on a simple meal of bread, soup and water in observance of World Hunger Day.  All proceeds go to Paz de Cristo.

MCC offers two Empty Bowl events for the community to attend:

Wed. Oct. 16 at MCC’s Southern and Dobson Campus

(Center Courtyard under the big tent)

1833 W. Southern Ave.

Hours: 10:30 am -3 pm and evening 5 pm – 8 pm.

-and-

Wed. Oct. 23 at MCC’s Red Mountain Campus

(Mesquite Bldg., Community Room)

7110 E. McKellips Rd.

Hours: 10:30 am -3 pm and evening 5 pm – 8 pm.

Local organizations donate clay, glaze, soup, dinner rolls, entertainment, volunteers and much more. Sponsors include: The Arizona Republic, Alpine Valley Bread Co., Marjon Ceramics and Laguna Clay Company, Mesa Arts Center, MCC Art Department, New Frontiers, Pita Jungle, T.C. Eggington’s, Red, White & Brew, Shamrock Farms and Sysco.

About Mesa Community College

Mesa Community College provides outstanding transfer and career and technical programs, workforce development, and life-long learning opportunities to residents of the East Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona. MCC excels in teaching, learning and empowering its more than 40,000 students who attend annually to succeed in a local and global community.  Mesa Community College is one of ten colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. Please direct media inquiries to Sally Mesarosh at sally.mesarosh@mesacc.edu  or the Office of Institutional Advancement at 480-461-7445.  IA website:  www.mesacc.edu/ia.

Source Details

Publication Date: 
Wednesday, September 4, 2013