For those not familiar with it, Empty Bowls is a grassroots project bringing artists and communities together for the cause of hunger relief. Artists decorate and donate bowls. Event attendees choose a bowl to use for their meal at the event that day, and get to keep the bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.

The project was started and is currently managed on a national level by Imagine/RENDER, which is (quoting from the website) “a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that strives to create positive and lasting social change through the arts, education, and projects that build community.” Many large cities all the way down to small towns host their own Empty Bowls event.

And this is where our local effort, Empty Bowls Houston, comes in. Benefiting the Houston Food Bank, this year’s version of the event is due to take place on 2011 March 19 (Saturday) at the Lawndale Art Center (4912 Main Street) and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (4848 Main Street). The minimum donation is $25 and the event will take place from 11 am to 3 pm.

This is the seventh year for Empty Bowls Houston and marks 20 years of the fundraiser and awareness initiative internationally.