The Empty Bowl Dinner

On Monday, I had kind of a lot of work to do when I got in. I had to finish up an article about three plays that were being translated from German and performed at the Blackburn Theater by talking to the translator / director, as well as writing an article about the annual Empty Bowl Dinner that the Open Door hosts every year. I was really glad to be able to write about this fundraiser, mostly because I go every year and my mom is a really big advocate for reducing hunger. The director is also a mom of a sophomore at Manchester Essex and works with my mom all the time, so talking to her felt very personal. The interview was easy and I was able to get the article done fairly quickly after reformulating a press release. I am always glad when I write about this stuff, mostly because I like when the paper gives publicity to and supports local organizations that are making a HUGE difference in our communities. The proceeds from the fundraiser this year are going directly towards funding the Summer lunch program and the farmer's market program. Summer Lunch feeds kids ages 1 to 18 during the 10 week summer break, when school lunch isn't available, and the farmer's market program sets up a free farmer's market in public housing neighborhoods around the North Shore. It is nice to write about something I really care about. For me, ending hunger and simultaneously giving people a chance to get fresh and locally grown vegetables is one of the best things that can be done in this area. So many times, people are prevented from eating in a healthy way simply because healthy, fresh food is so much more expensive then prepackaged, processed foods. But with this program, people are actually able to get food that is good for them without having to sacrifice on the amount of food they are able to buy.

Click HERE to read my Empty Bowl Dinner article! The fundraiser is at the Cruiseport off Rogers Street in Gloucester, from 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday May 13!