Summit students crafted bowls to support the 22nd Annual Empty Bowls event, an internationally recognized movement whose goal is to raise awareness for hunger and hunger-related issues, on Oct. 29 at the COCC Campus Center.

Guests enjoyed a pleasant dining experience including a handcrafted bowl made by local potters and music by local artists. Chili, bread, refreshments and dessert were served and prepared by Cascade Culinary Institute students.

Attendees were encouraged to keep their handcrafted, and as the name suggests, “empty” bowls as a reminder of the thousands who go hungry each and every day around the world. 

Summit ceramics teacher Emily Johnson is familiar with the organization as she used to help at a similar event in Astoria. 

“I feel like it’s a really good chance for the pottery world, [since] all the potters in the past have given us all of this knowledge, so it’s good for us to use that knowledge to give back to our community,” said Johnson.

Empty Bowls, a movement that involves local artists in cities and towns around the world, has raised millions of dollars for food-related charities since 1990. Locally, the funds raised from the event will be donated to NeighborImpact and its Regional Food Assistance program. This program provides around four million pounds of food throughout Central Oregon yearly. 

Empty Bowls and NeighborImpact also collaborate with 57 other food partners in Central Oregon to feed approximately 70,000 residents each month. According to Feeding America, 447,260 people in Oregon are suffering from hunger-issues, equating to one in ten people in the state. 

“It’s a sweet concept to host a lunch where people get to take the bowl home, so there’s some incentive to attend because you’re not just getting food you’re also getting a handmade artisan craft,” said Johnson. In addition to enjoying a delicious meal and receiving a unique bowl, attendees are supporting a great cause.