Flat Rock – Local ceramic artists will once again fire up their kilns for the eighth year to help hungry children in the greater Flat Rock area. On Sunday, May 18, 2025, “Empty Bowls,” a community meal benefiting the Flat Rock Backpack Program, will take place in the Parish Hall at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness. Advance tickets are strongly recommended for the two seatings: 12:00 PM–2:00 PM and 4:00 PM–6:00 PM. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 for a family of two adults with children under 12. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.stjohnflatrock.org/empty-bowls. Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl donated by area potters, a soup-based meal with soups and breads donated by local restaurants and bakers, plus homemade cookies baked by church members.
The Backpack Program started 16 years ago with just one school for eight kids. It has grown considerably, now providing backpacks to eight educational facilities for children from the ages of two through high school. This year, approximately 130 children will receive backpacks filled with nutritious food to take home for the weekend. MANNA Food Bank supplies a core of the basic food, which is then supplemented with church contributions. Nothing perishable is included. These items are put into backpacks by a large number of volunteers on Thursdays at a space provided by Hubba Hubba and delivered to the educational facilities that day. There are no paid staff; it is all volunteers.
“Hurricane Helene dealt a major blow to our area. All of our support system—the potters, food vendors, and sponsors—were all impacted, as was MANNA FoodBank, our main source of food for the Flat Rock Backpack Program,” said Debby Staton, Flat Rock Backpack Program Coordinator. “Needless to say, the students we serve were also affected. We are deeply appreciative of our community who keep us on their radar, always willing to pitch in as we continue meeting the needs of those who are ‘food insecure.’”
There are easily over 40 potters who contribute stunning ceramics for the event, including groups of potters such as artists from Givens Estate or Glassman Art Studio. Some of the experienced local potters and ceramic artists who support this event are David Voorhees (who first suggested this event many years ago), Honey Burrell, Carol Freeman, and Tami Baker. When an attendee arrives for the event, they pick their favorite functional piece of art on display to keep as a treasured memento after the meal.
As it has become quite costly to fill these backpacks weekly, many sponsors have stepped up to the plate and donated to the cause of feeding those in need. Notable contributors include Bryan Easler Toyota, Merrell Paint & Decorating, Benton Roofing, Epperson Tree Service, Wild Birds Unlimited in Hendersonville, Dale Lorens Art, Knox Law, Hendersonville Community Co-Op, and Stellar Power Solutions. Their contributions are gratefully accepted for the Flat Rock Backpack Program, which has 501(c)(3) status.
The Parish Hall of St. John in the Wilderness is located at 1905 Greenville Highway—across the street from the church itself. For more information, write to emptybowls@stjohnflatrock.org or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.
Piano Concert by Thomas Keesecker
On Sunday, May 4 at four o’clock, another event will be held at the Parish Hall of St. John in the Wilderness. The Music & Arts Series of The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness will present a free piano concert by composer and church musician Tom Keesecker. The program features selections from Mr. Keesecker’s concert tour with performances that took place across the country. Since 2017, Mr. Keesecker has given at least 100 music performances of his piano music in churches from the West Coast to the East Coast and from Canada to Florida.
He is known for his sensitive, delightful, and meditative piano arrangements of hymns. At this concert, participants will be able to sing along to some of them together as well as listen to his interpretations. The hymns will be interspersed with poetry by Mary Oliver and Wendell Berry, two of the most beloved and profound poets of the 20th and 21st centuries. His music can be listened to on Amazon Music, Spotify, and YouTube.
Handicapped accessibility and free parking are available for this free concert on Sunday, May 4. No registration is necessary. Donations will be gladly accepted for the Music & Arts Series. For more information, call the church at 828-693-9783.