Springfield, Ohio - Since the beginning of August, senior Wittenberg art students have been throwing and glazing hundreds of bowls for the annual Empty Bowls benefit. From 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 29 in Room 105 of the Shouvlin Center, Wittenberg University students, faculty, staff and Springfield community members are invited to share more than just a meal. Since its founding in 1994, Empty Bowls has been an annual sellout event and an opportunity for Wittenberg and Springfield to give back to the Clark, Champaign and Logan tri-county area.

Bow tie chicken noodle, potato leek and Tibetan barley soups will be among the selections at this year's Empty Bowls. Sponsors for the meal include Catholic Social Services Food Bank, Klosterman's Bakery, Howard's Foods, Inc., Kroger, Dole and Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies. Marriott Dining Services will prepare the feast. The first guests to arrive will be able to select from among hundreds of beautiful bowls. Following the evening of fellowship, guests may have the bowls washed to take home as a memento.

The cost to attend is $10 per person. This year's proceeds will be donated to the Catholic Social Services Food Bank.

Last year, proceeds in excess of $4,500 were raised to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Approximately 550 bowls have been made by the students for this year's dinner, and art students are hoping to exceed their goal of raising $5,500. Scott Dooley, assistant professor of art at Wittenberg, stated that it is best to arrive early, noting that Empty Bowls sold out in less than three hours last year.

Parking is available in the Benham-Pence Student Center lot across from Krieg Hall. Additional parking may be found along the street, and handicap access is available in front of the student center on Fountain Avenue.