On Feb. 2 teacher Kathy Gerdts-Senger’s art room became a pottery studio as a group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders labored over bowls they volunteered to create for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser.

 

Empty Bowls is an international project started in 1990 dedicated to fighting hunger. In each community that participates, local artists, schools and organizations create and donate bowls for the fundraiser. During the actual event, people purchase a ticket for soup, bread and dessert, and then choose one of the handmade bowls to take home as a reminder that someone’s bowl is always empty.

 

Gerdts-Senger started the area’s Empty Bowls project over 15 years ago in conjunction with the Paramount Theatre, realizing it would be a great service-learning project for her students. The event changed hands a few times and is currently held at Calvary Community Church in St. Cloud. Today Gerdts-Senger helps her students create bowls, collects cash if the students decide to purchase their bowls instead of donating them, and brings the finished pieces to Calvary. 

 

Her students have the option to create their bowls using either the pinch pot or slab method; the design itself is up to their individual creativity. Each of their pots also incorporate a “Clearview Critter,” a small creature of their choice they make and attach to their bowl, which helps them stand out among the crowd during the fundraiser.

 

Rolling out clay for her slab bowl, Evie E. said she volunteered because it was for a good cause and she could have fun with her friends doing it.

 

Shayla W. said, “I volunteered to help kids get food and because all the money people raise goes to charities.”

 

“I did it last year and I really liked it,” said Georgia B., working on her Clearview Critter. “Last year my aunt had cancer and I made a bowl for her.”

 

As each bowl is finished, Gerdts-Senger stamps the bottom with an Empty Bowls logo stamp which was made for her by a potter at the Paramount Theatre. 

 

This year’s Empty Bowls fundraiser is being held March 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road in St. Cloud, with the proceeds going to Place of Hope Ministries. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Place of Hope, Calvary and Spirit 92.9 for $10 per individual or $30 per family. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $12 and $32 respectively. Along with food and a handmade bowl of your choice, there will be entertainment, a silent auction and fun for kids. For more information on this year’s Empty Bowls event, visit www.placeofhopeministries.org or call 320-203-7881.