EMPTY BOWLS V A great opportunity to show we care about those in need.

What is Empty bowls? Empty bowls is a yearly Spring event. Buffalo State College partners with area schools. Students create bowls in Art classes which will be donated and auctioned. If you buy a bowl, you have an opportunity to fill it with food from local restaurants. All proceeds will benefit local food banks.

The Facts about Hunger Over 100,000 people in WNY are in need of food each month. 15% are seniors 40% are children 12 million pounds of food were distributed through the Western NY Food Bank last year. The decline in our economy, rising fuel and food costs, have all contributed to an increase in dependency of donated food.

Why is there hunger? Job lossIllnessDivorceDeath Natural Disasters Family Separation Rising cost of food Loss of home Rising cost of energy Catastrophic accident Lack of informa- tion War

Hunger Hunger is the physiological drive to find and eat food. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hunger is the world's major health risk. Globally, one in three people suffer from chronic hunger, which is a result of a lack of food security. Food insecurity means people do not have access at all times to nutritionally adequate food.World Health Organization

Food Insecurity There are three dimensions to food insecurity: a lack of (1) purchasing power (lack of money or resources), (2) accessibility (ability to get food), and (3) availability (amount of food). In the United States, hunger is caused by poverty, whereas in developing countries it is caused by poverty, war, civil unrest, or an undeveloped economy.

So What? So how does this affect you? You may know someone who goes hungry. You may have, or are, experiencing hunger. Hunger depletes our ability to ward off sickness. Hunger can cause psychological damage.

Our Empty Bowls We will be creating bowls representing our views of hunger. We can contribute to our community through our donation. We can be advocates for those in need by participating in food drives. We can be grateful for what we have already.

Empty Bowls Project 2009 How Artists bring awareness of world issues to the public through their work.

Diego Rivera was a Mexican painter who produced murals on social themes. Believing art should serve working people and be readily available to them, he concentrated on creating large frescoes portraying the history and social problems of Mexico. He painted them on the walls of public buildings. Rivera's murals are simple and bold and, as social comment, have aroused much controversy among political and religious groups in both the United States and Mexico.

So what are you going to do?