According to the USDA, more than 12 percent of American households are food insecure, meaning, at times, they may not have enough food to meet family needs.
One business owner in Williston is hoping to change that in a creative way.
The hope is that the stroke of a brush will bring a stroke of better fortune to those in need.
"Once I started my art studio, I knew it would be a great platform for all of community projects and a lot of outreach," says Melissa Krause, owner of QuickDraw Art Studio.
Krause heard of the Empty Bowls campaign during her time in Milwaukee. Participants decorate bowls and the proceeds from their sale fund local food pantries. The emptiness of the bowls signifies those without enough to eat.
"Being with Bras for a Cause, I see how much this community gives and I choose to give back to the community that helps us," says Vanessa Olson, who has painted two bowls for the cause. "The first one was just kind of designs and then a peace sign on the bottom because I'm all about the peace sign," says Olson.
So far, 32 bowls have been created by artists of all ages. Krause hopes to have 200 bowls for sale by the time the project is complete.
"I'd really love to see it grow. I know I'm aiming pretty small this year, but if we can make this a huge community project, I think we can do a lot of good," says Krause.
And though the bowls being painted are empty, the idea is that the goodwill gesture will spread, and fill others with hope.
The bowls will be sold on December 1st at a soup feed held at First Lutheran Church. Proceeds will go to the Williston Salvation Army. The cost to paint a bowl is $20. Half that amount covers the cost of supplies, the other half will be donated to the cause.
