Seventh-annual Empty Bowls event to benefit pantry

Because she’s immensely talented in her craft, junior Alexa Ross is a great spokesperson for the upcoming Empty Bowls event happening at Purdue University Fort Wayne. But there’s also another reason. The event supports the FRIENDS of the University Pantry, which Ross has turned to in times of need.

“When I was living in my own apartment, it was difficult to pay for that and pay for college, so occasionally, I’d go to the pantry to get food,” Ross said. “It was like a weight was lifted sometimes, and I know other students are like that. I’m not able to donate money, but for the club to be able to help the campus in this way is really nice.”

Thursday’s seventh annual Empty Bowls event in the International Ballroom at Walb Student Union runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For $30, participants receive a hand-crafted artistic bowl, a choice of chicken noodle or vegetable soup, bread, a cookie, and a bottle of water. Credit cards are accepted, and carry-out options are available.

There’s also the satisfaction of knowing the proceeds benefit the pantry and allow the PFW Ceramics Club to attend the annual National Council on Education for Ceramic Arts conventions. The pantry, which is available to members of the campus community and the general public, served a record 8,899 patrons in 2023 at its two locations, an increase of 3,799 visits over 2022.

The 2023 Empty Bowls event raised a record $7,184. Approximately 250 bowls have been created over two months by the advanced ceramics class of Seth Green, associate professor of ceramics, who brought the event to PFW. Green likes teaching his students how to organize, promote, and run a campaign of this kind, encouraging them to take charge and learn from the experience.

“Everyone has their own role, and they all pull together on this,” Green said. “I think an artist relies on their community for support, so if they can learn to rub shoulders with community partners and learn to support community members, they will in turn support them as artists later on.”

Started in 1976, Friends of the University learned about Empty Bowls after a Green visit and jumped in two years ago. The group supports the university through a variety of educational meetings, campus-based events, and annual giving. The membership includes current and former professionals who advocate and support the university while continuing their passion for education.

“Once we learned about the project, we realized that our missions fit very well with it,” said Mary Lee, the organization’s vice president and committee chair for Empty Bowls. “We like being involved with students. They are impressive, and Seth really imparts in them the idea of servant leadership, and I admire that.”

Friends of the University added a private event this year to expand its Empty Bowls contributions.