By Justin Smith and Tonianne Whittaker

SC Contributing Writers

On Thursday, March 26 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, the Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Management department will be hosting the Empty Bowls project in the Keystone Room here on campus.

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to raise both money and awareness in the fight to end hunger. It is also a service learning project ran through ESU.

This year, the team will celebrate their 8th year running the Empty Bowls project.

With great effort last year, the project was able to donate $1000 to the East Stroudsburg Salvation Army, and this year the project is looking to raise more with silent auctions, donations, and the purchase of hand crafted ceramic bowls.

Organized by Dr. Robert McMullin, professor in the Hotel and Restaurant Management Program, and also head of the ESU Empty Bowls Organization, and with great aid from Professor Joni Oye-Benintende’s ceramic class, a plethora of vibrant, unique, spring infused colored bowls will be available for a mere $10 bid.

“We are hoping for a great turn out this year and are looking forward to this event,” said Dr. McMullin.

Upon purchasing your $10 ticket, the buyer will be lead into the Keystone room where they will be able to place their bidding ticket next to their favorite bowl.

Upon choosing your bowl, ESU is offering a dine-in service to all donators with choices of soup being chicken noodle, beef barley and French onion, all of which will be made from scratch from the students.

Much appreciation for this event also falls into the hands of Hotel Restaurant Club for their services of cooking and cleaning for the event.

Donations from Jenell Butz, catering manager for Aramark of the linens, butter and rolls, as well as Carly Deangelo, an ESU student for the protein used for the soups.

Dr. Brad Seid, professor of Recreation Services Management is running the front of house productions, Dr. Beth Rajan Sockman, Service Learning Initiative Committee Co-Coordinator, who also contributed funds to Professor Joni Oye-Benintende’s ceramic class, and Albert Moranville, Department Chair of Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism Management is running the back of house functions.

Also, local businesses such as Shoprite and Giant are donating gift cards for the event.

To purchase a ticket, see either Linda Fehervari in Gessner Building, Room 207, Melanie Deuerlein in Reibman Administration Center G21, Laura Fuentes in Stroud 214, or any Hotel/Restaurant Club member. For any special accommodations, call 570-422-3511.

“To see the families that are struggling to even eat in this area, makes this whole thing worth it,” said Dr. McMullin.

Grab a friend, get a ticket don’t miss this event.

Email Justin at:

jsmith186@live.esu.edu

Email Tonianne at:

twhittake1@live.esu.edu