Hand to Mouth, an Empty Bowls Project, is being brought to the university this weekend by potter and art Professor David McBeth.

Empty Bowls is an international project to raise funds for hunger relief. The project began in Michigan by a high school art teacher and his students, and because of its tremendous success, it has spread around the world.

The basic idea for Empty Bowls is simple. A meal of soup and bread is served. Guests choose a hand-made bowl to use that day and to keep as a reminder that there are always empty bowls in the world.

In Martin, the event will take place in the UC Ballroom about 4:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, immediately following the 3 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service in Watkins Auditorium. Mike Munkel and Sodexho Campus Services will provide a simple bowl of soup for $10. Eat the soup, but keep the bowl.

McBeth has set a goal of selling 500 bowls, for a total donation of $5,000. All of the proceeds will go to fight hunger in Weakley County, through We Care Ministries of Martin.

Though McBeth made many of the bowls, several of his students also contributed bowls. About 20 bowls, he said, also were donated by potters from North Carolina, Arizona, Tennessee and Florida.

For those who won’t be in town Sunday, bowls are available for purchase through the Leaders in Residence class. Contact David Belote, assistant vice chancellor for Student Affairs, at dbelote@utm.edu or 7525 for more information.

Those who wish to see a sample of the bowls may view them in a display case between the art studios on the first floor of Gooch Hall.