The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Residents encouraged to attend Ypsilanti fund-raiser
PUBLISHED: March 20, 2008
Despite recent reports of scattered optimism in the local populace, I'd bet most of us remain relatively skeptical about our area's economy.
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The ample number of aging "For Sale" signs in front of neighborhood houses offer a distressing reminder of the grim Conditions That Prevail. Driving or walking past empty storefronts in Ypsilanti's downtown, Depot Town, and even newer retail developments throughout the Township, it is easy to believe these hard times aren't going to go away anytime soon.
Not so easy to see, however, are the hundreds of families whose lives have been changed for the worse by our community's economic woes. As money troubles mount, the population buys less; as less is purchased, companies that manufacture or sell need fewer workers; as more workers are laid off, money troubles mount. Charitable organizations tell us requests for food, clothing, shelter are more numerous that ever before.
So it's easy to think our communal glass is half empty. But we may want to take another look at what is happening in our town; we may want to think again about how full our glass is compared to others and who is trying to fill those vessels that are empty.
SOS Community Services works all year round to provide homeless families and those at risk of homelessness with shelter, educational and employment support, life skills training, child care, and much more. To further SOS's work, Concordia University is sponsoring Empty Bowls fund-raiser from 5 to 8 p.m. March 26 at Sidetrack Bar & Grill, 56 E. Cross St., in Depot Town, with proceeds from the event benefiting the SOS Community Services Emergency Food Pantry.
Back on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, The Artists in Residence, a student-run art organization at Concordia University, hosted Empty Bowls Servant Day.
The beautiful ceramic bowls fashioned that day by Concordia students, faculty, and staff will be available for purchase at the Sidetrack on March 26. As Concordia Arts Professor Beth Steinkellner pointed out, however, the intent of Empty Bowls is not to make bowls and raise money, but to address the problem of hunger in our community.
"The point is that each of us can do something, even if it's just a little thing like making or buying a little bowl," she said. "But you put all that effort together, and it really does add up to something significant: you are part of a bigger solution to a huge problem."
There is a suggested minimum donation of $10 to come and enjoy the Empty Bowls evening; proceeds from the fund-raiser will go to help SOS Community Services in their outreach to the community's homeless population. SOS representatives will be there at the Sidetrack to discuss their impact for the needy in our community.
"We're proud to partner with Concordia again for Empty Bowls," said Ellen Offen, SOS Development Director. "This event reminds us how important it is to help the needy of our community, and the money raised helps SOS put food on the tables of many homeless families."
There's an old saying about the best way to get your mind off your own troubles is by helping someone else overcome theirs. The value of my house may have fallen and my job situation might not be on the most solid ground, but I sure as shootin' have it better than a whole lot of folks. Rather than worry about how much is in my glass, I plan to focus on an empty bowl or two on March 26.
For the sake of all our community, I hope to see you there.
Pat Grimes is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. He can be reached at pshermang@yahoo.com
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