Editors Note

Combating empty plates, empty bellies

There are two events going on this month that deserve a bit of your attention and worth mentioning in this space.

The Interfaith Community Services' Empty Bowls event is Saturday, March 4, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Road. Tickets are $25 each at can be purchased in advance only at icstucson.org.

I attended my first Empty Bowls event in Leavenworth, Washington long ago. The concept can be a unique community-building effort that brings together potters, community organizers and restaurants to call attention to those hungry in our own backyards, raise money to help those efforts and each person who attends gets to take home a beautiful bowl. This is event is the same. ICS Food Banks help 28,000 people each year. Area restaurants like Kingfisher, Noble Hops and Vero Amore, bring some declicious soups, breads and desserts. You get to take home a handcrafted pottery bowl. There's a silent auction, too.

The other event from the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and while it's a bit pricier then the ICS Empty Bowls gig, it's a chance to enjoy some food prepared by celebrated Tucson Chef Janos Wilder. Farm to Table is Saturday, March 18, 5:30 p.m. at the Carriage House, 125 S. Arizona Ave., $125 per person. Go to communityfoodbank.org or call 449-8347.

Get eating.

— Mari Herreras, mari@tucsonlocalmedia.com