Empty Bowls returns March 19 to Cooper

Artists sculpt clay into bowls and cover them in glaze. Finished bowls serve soup and raise money for NEAR and PRISM.

The 14th annual Empty Bowls event will take place 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at Robbinsdale Cooper High School, 8230 47th Ave. N., New Hope. Last year, the event raised $30,000 for the food shelves.

Entertainment will be provided: African Empire Dance Team, All District Orchestra – Philharmonia and Sinfonia, Armstrong High School and Cooper High School Combined Philharmonic Orchestras, All District Choir and Nancy Shallcross will perform at the event.

Although there is no cost to eat the soup and enjoy the shows, free will donations are encouraged.

Leading up to the event, there are many ways to participate. People can email emptybowls.robbinsdale@gmail.com or call 763-432-4229 for more information.

Alisha Weis, advancement director of PRISM, said ceramic artists could donate bowls.

Volunteers are needed to make the event happen.

Weis said interested groups could organize a painting party.

“If community members still want to get involved, they can host a bowl painting party,” Weis suggested. “This is a fun way to get some friends together and paint bowls at home, which will then be fired and donated to the Empty Bowls event. We will supply pre-made bisque bowls, glazes, and paint brushes, painters make a donation of $10 to cover the cost of the supplies.”

Food shelves often team up with other organizations to raise money. Two Men and a Truck will hold a pop-up food drive 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Hy-Vee, 16705 County Rd 24, Plymouth. The goal is to fill the entire Two Men and a Junk moving truck with non-perishable food items for PRISM.