Community-wide woodworking is planned to carve out a dent in hunger-relief efforts.

Woodworking artisan Bennett Farrell has initiated an Empty Bowls event to benefit Feeding America Tampa Bay. Volunteers throughout the region have provided labor and dollar donations as a sign of support.  

Clearwater, Fla., December 2, 2013  -- Empty Bowls Florida, is part of an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. The Imagine Render Group first created the Empty Bowls movement in 1990.

Supporters of full bellies prepare for an Empty Bowls event Dec. 7, 2013 at Lenny’s Restaurant in Clearwater. As part of the Empty Bowls project, Bennett Farrell, a woodworker and artisan, has partnered with nearby businesses and other volunteers to create wooden bowls.

A soup-kitchen-style lunch will be held, guests are invited and in exchange for a donation, “each guest gets to keep a handcrafted bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world,” said Bennett.

All proceeds from the event go to Feeding America Tampa Bay, and for every dollar donated Feeding America distributes 9 healthy meals on behalf of local food banks. Bennett’s goal is to raise $3,000   

“There are about 689,000 persons in the Tampa Bay area… who are not sure about where their next meal will come from” Debbie McCarthy the director of development at Feeding America Tampa Bay said in a recent radio interview with 88.5 WMNF.

Farrell is convinced that instructors from Nova Woodworking in St. Petersburg can teach anyone; you do not need to be an artisan in order to volunteer he said. If you are interested in learning how to turn wood for a cause, please call 727-512-9313.

 “Each person that’s helped is now a creator and an artist, and they've done something remarkable that will help a lot of needy people,” Said Farrell.

For tickets to the Dec. 7 event, stop by Lenny’s in Clearwater or call 727-512-9313. Tickets cost $15 each.

Additional fundraising opportunities will arise on occasion. An ice cream social is planned for Memorial Day weekend 2014!