Empty Bowls Fundraiser Raises $775,000

Cam Orr, Staff Writer|February 13, 2017

The pottery classes of RMHS fundraise annually for the Larimer County Food Bank, but this year Rocky was more involved than every school in the district.

On February 2, an event took place called “Empty Bowls”; the Empty Bowls program is an annual event through the Larimer County Food Bank. Rocky typically donates 30 to 45 handmade bowls that the pottery classes of RMHS create. The overall goal is to raise money for the Food Bank. Last year, the Empty Bowls event raised a total of $775,000 for the Food Bank. Community members from Larimer County purchase tickets to eat soup out of the bowls Rocky students create and the money is donated to the Food Bank. Local restaurants donate the soup for participants to eat.

The members of the pottery classes had to go through a long process to make the bowls that were donated. First, they had to construct them. All bowls were spun on the pottery wheel. After that, the student’s glazed the bowls. Every single one was handmade. “Making the bowls is the best part about it; we get to do what we love while contributing to the Food Bank,” stated senior Alyssa Hotchkiss.

RMHS has been the school most involved with Empty Bowls in these last couple of years. Students and staff take pride in the event. “I think it’s neat to use our artistic ability to help those in need,” says junior Sydney Debord. A total of 15 people helped to create the bowls. Every pottery teacher helps to organize, promote, and make the bowls that are donated.

“It’s an extremely fun fundraiser that I look forward to every year,” says pottery teacher Darlene Kalawe. Kalawe has been involved with the event for a couple years, and every year she loves helping out everyone in the community.