Empty Bowls and Baskets dinner slated for March 21

Pitt-Bradford will host the 13th annual Empty Bowls and Baskets Dinner next week to raise awareness for the fight against hunger and to assist in raising funds for the Friendship Table.

The dinner is set to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. March 21 in the Mukaiyama University Room. A donation of $10 from the public and $5 from students will be collected at the door and includes a homemade or hand-decorated bowl, basket or napkin set.

The dinner will feature a wide variety of homemade soups, breads and the baked goods, along with a beverage. During the event, guests can also take part in a silent auction.

All money that is collected will go to the Friendship Table.

Additionally, organizers are also accepting items during the dinner for the Panther Pantry, which benefits members of the Pitt-Bradford community in need of food or hygiene items. Diners can donate single serving food items, hygiene items or money.

Events like the Empty Bowls and Baskets Dinner date back to 1990, when a Michigan high school art teacher and his students designed/made bowls to benefit those less fortunate.

The Pitt-Bradford event is held each March in conjunction with the university's Women's History Month celebration and activities.

Contributors to this event include Office of Student Affairs, Office of the President, Metz Culinary Management/Dining Services, Division of Management and Education, Division of Physical and Computational Sciences, Division of Communication and the Arts, Division of Biological and Health Sciences, Student Nurses Organization, Cody DeCosta, School Street Elementary, Bradford Christian Academy School, The Learning Center,

Janelle Turk and Bradford Area High School art classes, M&M Pottery in Corry, Courtney Mealy, Dr. Martha Dibble, Lawrence Dibble, Tops Friendly Markets, Walmart, Women's History Month Committee, Basket Babes, American Association of University Women, Zonta Club of Bradford, Pitt-Bradford volunteers, soup and baked good donors, Harriett B. Wick Chapel staff, Ott and McHenry pharmacy, and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer for the event is asked to contact Fran Stewart at fstewart@pitt.edu.