As many North Texans think about what’s for dinner, 1 in 6 people in the region do not know where their next meal will come from. The North Texas Food Bank is working to change that, preparing for its 26th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser — an event designed to help fight hunger across the regio n. At FCS Clayworks in Garland, volunteer John Campbell is shaping clay into something more than simple serving dishes. John Campbell makes a bowl for the Empty Bowls fundraiser. Campbell carefully crafts bowls, knowing they will eventually help make meals possible for families experiencing food insecurity. “Times like this, man, everybody should come up and help,” Campbell said. “It probably is somebody that lives next door to you,” said Sarah Burns, vice president of external affairs for the North Texas Food Bank. “We have hunger insecurity in every ZIP code here in North Texas and the DFW region is actually one of the most food-insecure regions in the nation.” That’s why FCS Clayworks gathered studio members and guest volunteers to create bowls for the North Texas Food Bank’s Empty Bowls fundraiser. Campbell said the effort is about community as much as it is about clay. “Our country needs each other. I need you. You need her. She needs him and this is the least I can do to step up and help people that need help,” Campbell said. Last year’s Empty Bowls event raised about $500,000. That’s enough to help provide 1.5 million meals. Bowls made by Clayworks for the Empty Bowls fundraiser. Campbell said he hoped the bowls send a message along with a meal. “I’m hoping that they feel taken care of. They feel cared about. We see you,” Campbell said. “We can’t all do everything, but we can all do something. That’s really impactful, and honestly, it’s a reflection of this community that we live in that’s so generous,” Burns said. “Hopefully, this bowl full of hope is gonna take care of that a little bit,” Campbell said. The North Texas Food Bank’s Empty Bowls fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26. Tickets are still available. ...read more read less