Just Do It

Empty Bowl Luncheon

by Jessica Geoghan

Sun., Nov. 16, noon-2 p.m., $10, Viking Culinary Arts Center, 1 Town Place, Bryn Mawr, 610-526-9020, philabundance.org

According to Philabundance, Philadelphia has some scary stats. With one of the highest poverty rates in the country, one in four of us live below the federal poverty line. This, unfortunately, results in alarming rates of malnutrition — the amount of people receiving hunger relief in the Delaware Valley has increased 100 percent between 2001 and 2005.

In an effort to improve our numbers, Philabundance, the Viking Culinary Arts Center and local artists are coming together to host the Empty Bowl Luncheon. Viking is donating the food, the artists are donating the bowls and you, hungry do-gooder, are donating the money. The $10 ticket gets you a handmade artisan bowl (that's yours to keep!) and gourmet soups, breads and desserts to fill it up with. Yes, yes, it's in the 'burbs, but Viking is a quick ride on the R5 away from Center City.

Martha M. Buccino, senior vice president of strategic development at Philabundance, estimates that they can provide a meal to someone in need for around 30 to 50 cents. Do the math: 30 meals is greater than your Sunday afternoon date with the Birds