Empty Bowls Dinner draws a crowd

• Artists made more than 150 ceramic bowls for the Empty Bowls Dinner

High school and college artists made more than 150 ceramic bowls for the Empty Bowls Dinner. Diners were able to choose a bowl for their homemade soup and take it home with them. Photo by Meg Heaton
• Mayor Dean Knudson was among the Empty Bowls Dinner servers

Among the servers assisting the Malanaphy family at the Empty Bowls Dinner were, from left, United Methodist Pastor Bruce Stunkard, Hudson Mayor Dean Knudson, St. Croix County Judge Howard Cameron and volunteer Buzz Marzolf. Photo by Meg Heaton

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The communitywide Empty Bowls Dinner at United Methodist Church of Hudson last week was deemed a success on several fronts by the groups and organizations that came together to raise awareness of hunger and other issues in the community.

According to Vivian Hart of Youth Action Hudson, more than 200 people showed up. Diners were able to choose a handmade ceramic bowl for some homemade soup as well as enjoy entertainment. The evening also included a silent art auction.

Partners in the local effort were Youth Action Hudson, United Methodist Church and United Methodist Church Women, the Food Collaborative of St. Croix County, SOS Players, art students from UW-River Falls and Hudson, National Honor Society students, Destination Imagination students, the United Way of St. Croix Valley, St. Patrick’s Faith Formation class, Hudson Bagel, Family Fresh, Bread Art, Subhouse and others.

In addition to raising awareness of poverty issues like “food insecurity,” the dinner also was organized to bring people together to provide opportunities and partnerships for additional community service, to raise funds for local assistance agencies and to do it all using “green” practices.

Proceeds from the event were split between YAH, the United Way’s Food Resource Center, United Methodist Church and its respective community service projects.

For more information, contact Youth Action Hudson at (715) 386-9803 or e-mail vivian.hart@youthactionhudson.org.

Tags: community, hudson, empty_bowls, dinner, benefit, hunger_awareness