The following story provided by Derek Sidian, KRBF
A cherished community tradition returns this month as M State’s Empty Bowls Fundraiser celebrates its 19th year of bringing art, food, and generosity together to support local hunger relief.
Set for Thursday, April 24th, the event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Legacy Hall on the M State Fergus Falls campus. For a suggested $20 donation, guests can pick out a handcrafted ceramic bowl, have it filled with hot soup from Twizt’d Café, and enjoy fresh bread from Service Food Market—all while supporting the Fergus Falls Salvation Army food program.
“This beloved annual event brings people together to enjoy a hot lunch of fresh soup and to celebrate the art of giving,” said organizer Lori Charest, ceramics instructor at M State. “People also come to see and appreciate the work of our local potters and student artists—and every attendee gets to keep their bowl.”
This year, nearly 500 handmade bowls will be available, including hundreds created during a recent community “Bowl-a-thon.” Volunteers—from students to local artisans—worked side-by-side in M State’s art room shaping, trimming, firing, and glazing bowls for the event.
Since it began, Empty Bowls at M State has raised almost $86,000 to fight food insecurity in the Fergus Falls area. Last year alone, the event generated $7,935.
“All of it stays local,” Charest added. “It’s an incredible show of kindness and generosity from this community.”