AUSTIN, Texas -- More than a thousand people gave back to stop hunger in Central Texas Saturday.

The Central Texas Food Bank held the 21st annual Austin Empty Bowl Project. The project is an effort by local potters to fight hunger and draw attention to children who are silently suffering.

Participants picked out a handcrafted bowl and soup for $20, which goes to Kids Cafe, a program of the Central Texas Food Bank, and Meals for Kids, a program of Meals on Wheels Central Texas.

"Kids don't have a choice in where they live and how much food they get, so we need to provide that for them," said Kris Asthalter, from the Austin Empty Bowl Project.

One in four central Texas children are food insecure, which means they lack access to nutritious foods.