&ldquo\;Empty Bowls\,&rdquo\; Saturday\, March 7\, is for the whole family and the whole community &ndash\; to have fun together as we help to eliminate hunger and homelessness. \; Come when you wish between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at Menomonie Middle School\, 920 21^st St.\, Menomonie. Come to the event and enjoy a Homemade Soup &\; Bread Meal\, a Silent Art Auction\, and local entertainment. \; \; Come view displays. \; Come write a letter to enlist government help for hungry people. \; \; Bring the children &ndash\; activities are planned for them.

\;Regional artists -- professional potters and UW-Stout art students - have created and plan to contribute over 600 bowls. \; Each person that attends Empty Bowls will receive one of the artistic bowls along with their meal for a donation of $15.00. \; The suggested donation for those receiving the soup &\; bread meal without a ceramic bowl is $5.00.

The Homemade Soup and Bread Meal will feature both old favorites and new tasty soups. \; Many varieties of breads are being sought. \; To donate\, call Rose Studebaker\, 235-3409.

\; \; \; \;The local groups to benefit from the "\;Empty Bowls&rdquo\; are the Interfaith Food Pantry\, the House of Hope and Menomonie Area Bread for the World. \; \; The goal is to raise $6\,000 from donations for the meal and the art auction. \;

\; \; \; The Silent Art Auction will feature all kinds of pottery and art items made by local artists. \; \; A group of the art items will go to the highest bidders each hour. To donate\, contact Interfaith Volunteers\, 235-2920 or ivdc@wwt.net.

\; \; \; &ldquo\;Making It Through the Month Maze&rdquo\; and &ldquo\; A 17 Cents Meal&rdquo\; are two of the new activities that will be led by Menomonie Middle School Students. \; \; Menomonie High School Students will lead a &ldquo\;Who&rsquo\;s Got the Cheese Display&rdquo\;. The local MOMS Group will lead children&rsquo\;s activities\, including &ldquo\;Hands of Hope\,&rdquo\; Grinding Corn\, and a Refugee Site.

\; \; \; \; The Refugee Site at &ldquo\;Empty Bowls&rdquo\; will be an exciting educational place. \; \; Visitors will be able to sit in the refugee shelter\, taste &ldquo\;Nan&rdquo\; survival biscuits\, and view actual food packages and health kits given to disaster victims

\; \; \; Menomonie Area Bread for the World and Menomonie Middle School Student Council sponsor &ldquo\;Empty Bowls.&rdquo\; \; \; Menomonie Area Bread for the World is a Christian citizen&rsquo\;s movement of the Menomonie Area that works for legislation to eliminate causes of hunger and gives support to the Interfaith Food Pantry and the House of Hope.

\; \; \; \; The Interfaith Food Pantry and the House of Hope are programs of Interfaith Volunteers of Dunn County\, 1920 S. Broadway\, Menomonie. \; The Interfaith Food Pantry is a source of food and personal care items for people of Dunn County with emergency needs. \; The House of Hope is a shelter in Menomonie that provides short-term housing for the homeless of Dunn County.

\; \; \; &ldquo\;Empty Bowls&rdquo\; will be our kick-off for Bread for the World&rsquo\;s 2009 Offering of Letters Campaign to encourage our national legislators to reform foreign aid so that it is more helpful for the world&rsquo\;s poorest people. \; People will be able to write their own letters and/or receive an Offering of Letters Kit for their congregation or group.

For more information\, contact Julie McNaughton\, Coordinator of Menomonie Area Bread for the World\, at 235-9377 or mcnaughtond@uwstout.edu.