Phoenixville Charity Works To End Hunger In Borough

You may not know it, but there are plenty of hungry people on the streets of Phoenixville.

One local organization is doing everything it can to make that problem disappear.

Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) is holding an Empty Bowls event - participants pay for a meal, and can buy handmade ceramic bowls, as well. Proceeds support PACS’ efforts to eliminate hunger in Phoenixville.

Empty Bowls has been a staple in Phoenixville since the Holck family, the owners of Artisans Galley & Café, planned and hosted the original event.

It was a huge success, and it developed momentum for coming years.

Borough Councilman Michael Kuznar is working to help raise awareness for the project.

“I volunteered a few days for PACS and was shocked to see the number of people in Phoenixville, particularly the ward I represent, who needed the help,” Kuznar said. “I decided to do everything I can to help PACS afterwards and am more than happy to continue supporting their organization.”

The number of supporters and sponsors has multiplied since 2007, as has the number of artists contributing crafted bowls.

Phoenix Village Art Center and Chester Springs Studio, meanwhile, have held classes to teach novice craftsmen and women how to make bowls, which are then donated to PACS.

Organizers expect 600 bowls to be donated for the 2015 event.

An average of 171 households in the borough receive food from PACS each month, or a total of 415 people.

About a third of the food goes toward hungry children.

The ninth annual Empty Bowls event will take place on November 6 at Technical College High School - Pickering. Tickets are $20 and will be on sale at Gateway Pharmacy, Foresta’s Market, the PACS office on Gay Street, or online at the PACS website www.pacsphx.org.