The Empty Bowls project was founded as part of an effort to raise awareness about hunger and as a reminder that "someone's bowl is always empty." At Empty Bowl events held worldwide, local artists create and donate handmade ceramic bowls, after which community members gather for a soup dinner and select a bowl to keep.

Locally, the eighth annual Empty Bowls event will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Twin Valley on Friday, Nov. 8, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Conestoga Mennonite Church, 2779 Main St., Morgantown. All proceeds will go to the Twin Valley Food Pantry (TVFP), which is housed at the church.

For a set donation collected at the event, attendees will receive a handmade ceramic bowl and the opportunity to sample a variety of soups. Children under age 10 may receive soup in a plastic bowl at a reduced cost.

"All the bowls are on a table, and you pick out the bowl. That is part of the fun of the event - you get a chance to make your own choice," said past Rotary Club president Ron Moyer.

The ceramic bowls given out during the event are made throughout the year by art students from Twin Valley High School (TVHS), as well as members of the Rotary Club and residents of the Tel Hai Retirement Community in Honey Brook.

The soup will be provided by local restaurants and the kitchen staff at Tel Hai. Rotary Club members are also donating soup. "We will have sweet potato soup, and Tel Hai makes a great pizza soup," said Moyer, noting that dinner rolls will also be served.

The community is welcome to stop by throughout the evening to enjoy soup. "One of the interesting things about this event is that people don't leave," Moyer commented. "They will sit at a table with a group of people they have not known before. There is fellowship that goes on throughout the evening."

Another highlight for attendees is to view the assortment of ceramic bowls on display that come in various colors and styles. "Each bowl is individual," said Moyer. "The colors come from the glazes. The glaze may look brown, but it comes out blue after firing. It is glazed once and fired twice." He noted that the bowls are microwave and dishwasher friendly.

The Twin Valley Rotary Club is a community service club. In addition to the Empty Bowls event, the club sponsors the Student of the Month program at TVHS and awards student scholarships. It also provides financial donations to local nonprofits.

The club meets on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays of the month at 7:30 a.m. at the Windmill Family Restaurant, 2838 Main St., Morgantown. Prospective members are welcome.

To learn more about the club and the Empty Bowls event, visit http://www.twinvalleyrotary.org or search for "The Rotary Club of Twin Valley" on Facebook. In addition to the upcoming fundraiser, the club is selling See's Candies. Details about the effort are available at the website.

More information about the TVFP, which provides food to residents in need in the Twin Valley School District, can be found at http://www.facebook.com/twinvalleyfoodpantry.org or http://www.twinvalleyfoodpantry.com.