by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 35.1 million Americans are what is known as “food insecure,” which means they often can’t afford to have enough to eat. Of that number, 22.7 million are adults and 12.4 million are children.
That’s a lot of people who know they’re not likely to be sitting down to a turkey dinner with all the trimmings in about three weeks.
In 1979, Lutheran Social Services (LSS) identified a local need to feed hungry people. That led to the creation of the Nourishment Network as a way to provide food to those who otherwise would not have enough – or any at all. People donated everything from cereal to canned soup and vegetables and LSS distributed the items directly to those in need.
Over the years, the organization has improved and expanded its efforts to feed hungry people. Nutrition Network became the Food Bank of Jacksonville and later, Second Harvest Food Bank, which today is affiliated with America’s Second Harvest, a national food network.
Inspired by the vast number of people – both nationally and locally – that didn’t know what it means to be assured of having a holiday feast, in 1985 Jacksonville’s Civic Roundtable with the support of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (now the National Conference for Community and Justice) sponsored a Community Thanksgiving Benefit luncheon at the Sheraton St. Johns Hotel (now the Wyndham Hotel Downtown). Tickets were $10 per person and the menu offered only the simplest fare, but the event raised more than $13,000 to benefit Jacksonville’s Food Bank.
In 2004, the date of the 20th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon was moved to the week before rather than the week of Thanksgiving in an effort to raise awareness of hunger in the community among those for whom it has never been a part of their experience.
“The need was great then and it’s even greater today,” said Rachel Miller, LSS special events coordinator and organizer of the 23rd Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon that will be held Nov. 13 at the Osborn Center.
The fundraiser has grown over the years, both in the number of people who participate and in the amount of money raised. This year, Acosta Sales is the presenting sponsor. Chik-Fil-A is donating enough chicken noodle soup to feed 1,000 people and Winn-Dixie has signed on to provide bottled water.
The segment of the population served by Second Harvest Food Bank has also changed.
“Many people think the only hungry people we have in this community are homeless, but that’s not true. Only about five percent of our clients are homeless. The rest are what’s called the ‘working poor’ and that group is getting larger every day. It’s becoming more and more like middle-class,” said Miller.
She said Empty Bowls has become so successful for Second Harvest Food Bank because it really makes people understand what it’s like to be insecure about having enough food.
The awareness initiative expanded to include the youngest generation in 2004 when students at 34 Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) created more than 2,000 ceramic bowls in which the soup was served that year. This year, lunch will be served in disposable bowls, but the students in both public and private schools have handcrafted the hundreds of bowls that donors will take home to remind them of their experience.
“It’s a way to establish with the students that there are people out there who are in need. In the course of making the bowls, the students get to understand that hunger does exist in this community,” said Jack Matthews, DCPS visual arts specialist for K-12.
He said it’s a cooperative effort, since LSS provides the clay and glazes and the students provide the creativity and the work. It’s also an excellent teaching tool.
“It’s a very unique program that’s unlike anything else we do in the public schools. The project happens each year just before Thanksgiving and it’s a way to remind the students that for some people, a feast would be a bowl of soup, a piece of bread and a glass of water,” said Matthews.
Miller said the annual Empty Bowls Luncheon is an important part of the effort by LSS to serve more than 500 local agencies that contribute to feeding hungry people in the community. Partner organizations range from church groups that open their food pantries every two weeks to the Sulzbacher Center that feeds people every day.
Like other social service organizations, LSS is also working with less money this year due to public service grant reductions in the City’s budget.
“That makes this year’s Empty Bowls even more important,” said Miller.
She said 50 of the 70 tables for the luncheon had been sold as of Thursday morning and LSS would like to see a full house again this year thanks to the support of the community.
For information or to reserve a table or seat, call 739-7074 or visit www.lssjax.org.