Observe World Food Day at Empty Bowls

MCC Empty Bowls Events Support Paz de Cristo Community Center

MESA, Arizona - The community is invited to participate in Mesa Community College’s (MCC) Empty Bowls events in observance of World Food Day (Oct. 16, 2014). For a $10 donation patrons may select a one-of-a-kind handcrafted ceramic bowl and receive a modest yet delicious meal of soup and bread.

For more than two decades MCC’s Art Department, in collaboration with local businesses, schools and community groups, has offered Empty Bowls as a way to garner support for a national movement to feed the hungry and homeless. All proceeds from MCC Empty Bowls events directly benefit those served by Paz de Cristo Community Center, the nonprofit providing anti-hunger and empowerment support for the East Valley's homeless, unemployed, working poor and their families.

The collaboration of local businesses and community partners raised more than $17,000 last year [2013] which was used by Paz de Cristo to provide over 100,000 meals to the disadvantaged in the Phoenix East Valley.

“We currently average 7,000 visits from 2,400 different guests each month at Paz de Cristo. While many guests make multiple visits we see about 600 new guests each month. That is 600 individuals that have never previously had to ask for food, or other services, who are now asking for help for the first time. It was 50 years ago that President Lyndon Johnson first declared a ‘War on Poverty.’ Yet today, the number of Americans living in poverty is at a record 46 million individuals,” said Arlen Westling, Director of Paz de Cristo Community Center Director.

“We are especially excited to recognize the continued support from ceramics artists from Dobson High School and Dreamland Villa’s ‘Ceramic Chaos’ for their contribution of hundreds of unique pieces supporting the year-long effort by MCC Ceramics to craft more than 2,000 unique pieces for these annual events.”

Jesse Stephens, a MCC ceramics student, commented, “Contributing to the Empty Bowls event gives me a lot of satisfaction, knowing that I am helping a great event that helps so many people is very rewarding. When I am at the event I tell guests about Paz de Cristo and how our event supports them. I really enjoy seeing the look on their faces when they realize what they are actually helping, and that is rewarding for both of us. I believe in the Empty Bowls event, and being part of a movement to help those in need is exciting for me.”

“Watching Empty Bowls grow and seeing the benefits to my community is a passion of mine. I strive to provide the instructional guidance my students need to succeed in tapping their creative abilities and to use that lesson to in turn learn how to learn and how best to use that knowledge and skill to enhance their surroundings…their family life, their community and our world as a whole,” said Linda Speranza, MCC Art Faculty.

Wednesday, October 15 at MCC’s Red Mountain Campus
7110 E. McKellips Rd. (Mesquite Building, Community Room)
Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

Wednesday, October 29 at MCC’s Southern and Dobson Campus
1833 W. Southern, Ave., (Center Courtyard)
Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

Local performing artists will perform during Empty Bowls at MCC’s Southern and Dobson campus: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., with Ken Feighner, Bagpiper; and 5-8 p.m., with Carol Pacey & The Honey Shakers.

We thank all of the wonderful ceramics students who donate their time and talent and the local organizations that make contributions to help feed the hungry and homeless in our community. This year’s sponsors include: Alpine Valley Bread Co., Pita Jungle; Red, White & Brew; Shamrock Foods, T.C. Eggingtons, The Arizona Republic, Carol Pacey & The Honey Shakers, Classic Party Rentals, Ken Feighner, Laguna Clay Company, Marjon Ceramics, Mesa Arts Center, MCC Art Department, New Frontiers, Northern Arizona University-Mesa Campus, and Ricoh.

# # #

Contact
Dawn Zimmer, (480) 461-7892, Dawn.Zimmer@mesacc.edu

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. For additional information please visit http://www.mesacc.edu.

About Mesa Community College’s Art Program
Learning to create effective art and design can be challenging in a variety of different ways. The fully accredited MCC Art Department has highly qualified professors who understand these challenges and inspires students to reach their greatest creative potential and sharpen their artistic skill set. Whether a student is seeking a degree, planning to transfer to a university, or taking classes for personal or professional enrichment, the Art Department can help students reach their goals. MCC features degree tracks, certificates, and courses in drawing, painting, ceramics, design, art history, computer graphics, and photography. For more information, visithttps://www.mesacc.edu/departments/art.

About Paz de Cristo Community Center
Paz de Cristo empowers its guests to reach their full potential by removing barriers so they may become more self-sufficient. Paz de Cristo exists to help them achieve self-reliance, pride and self-respect. In turn, this leads to improved economic standing, respect for others, and citizenship participation. Learn more online at http://pazdecristo.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an
equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Source Details

Publication Date: 
Friday, September 26, 2014