Bowls will be filled with caring this weekend
By Jeff Eason
eason@mountaintimes.com

This weekend you have the chance to join your neighbors for a fun meal and a chance to help many others. Plus, at the end of the dinner, you get to take home a unique handmade ceramic bowl created by the pottery students of Watauga High School.

A diverse array of student-crafted bowls awaited visitors at last year’s Empty Bowls. Jeff Eason /Watauga Democrat

This special dinner is called the Empty Bowls Project and this weekend it will raise much-needed funds for the Hunger and Health Coalition.

The 7th annual Empty Bowls Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature a filling meal of soup and bread, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and an opportunity to help out the less fortunate in our area.

Ceramic artists at Watauga High School are making one-of-a-kind bowls for the Empty Bowls event. Each person attending the event is asked to make a minimum $15 donation.
Then they get to pick out a bowl to keep, fill it with soup, and enjoy the evening.

Over the past six years, WHS Empty Bowls dinners have raised more than $25,000 for the Hunger and Health Coalition. The past two events have raised more than $6,000 each.

The Empty Bowls’ menu will feature baked goods from Stick Boy Bread Company, chicken white chili from Highlands of Blowing Rock, Brunswick stew from Woodlands Barbecue, Italian minestrone soup from Casa Rustica, vegetarian vegetable soup from Pepper’s, Southwest black bean soup from Melanie’s Food Fantasy, Rick’s homemade soup from Blimpie’s Subs, and a variety of desserts from Friends of Watauga.

In addition to the unique bowls and wonderful food, the Empty Bowls Dinner will also feature a silent auction with items and gift certificates donated by area businesses, artisans and restaurants.

The evening will also feature live music from several of Watauga High School’s student bands including the WHS Chorus, WHS Orchestra, the WHS Jazz Band and singers from the school’s award-winning Theatre Department.

WHS Empty Bowls Dinner will be held at the high school cafeteria on Saturday, March 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A minimum $15 donation is suggested. For more information, call (828) 264-2407.