Community gathers to support Empty Bowls at eighth annual event

Ceramic bowls are produced by students during the year to sell, and all proceeds benefit the Centre Street Food Pantry. Photo by Jill Neil

Empty Bowls held their eighth annual event at Lasell’s DeWitt Hall on Friday, April 4. Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort to fight hunger in the community by making art. Every Wednesday, the club meets in the ceramic studio in Yamawaki and creates bowls, which are later sold, with all proceeds going to the Centre Street Food Pantry, located just off campus.

“It was great to see the community come together to work towards a common goal,” said Lasell freshman Avery Giglio. ”I think not many know how many people struggle with food insecurity, especially in an area like this, making this event just a little bit more eye-opening.”

As guests arrived at DeWitt Hall, they were welcomed by volunteers at a table where they purchased a ticket for entry. This ticket was later exchanged for a handcrafted bowl. There was a figure-eight-shaped table in the hall displaying a variety of bowls to choose from. Guests could either decide to use their selected bowl during the event or have it wrapped and bagged to take home.

Guests had the opportunity to browse the bowls, socialize, and enjoy the food. The menu featured grilled cheese sandwiches, a selection of soups, including broccoli cheddar, chicken noodle, and tomato, along with Caesar salad, bread, and an assortment of desserts, such as cookies and brownies.

Throughout the evening, guests could also participate in a raffle and silent auction. Live music was provided by 2021 Lasell graduate Bobby Rowe and his band, Not Bad Pretty Good, with special guest performances by Ken Calhoun, chair of Graphic Design Program, and current Lasell junior Paige Mesropian.

A silent auction was held for guests to bid on various ceramics bowls and vases. Photo by Jill Neil

Several guest speakers spoke at the event, including Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Centre Street Food Pantry Executive Director Rose Saia, Lasell University President Eric Turner, and Harold Cox, Executive Director of Centre Street Food Pantry and professor at Boston University. Each speaker highlighted the importance of Empty Bowls, their personal experiences, and stories about people in the community, emphasizing the program’s impact in supporting a meaningful cause and encouraging guests to become more involved.

If you have the chance to attend next year, don’t miss it. All proceeds benefit the Centre Street Food Pantry. It will make a difference and help combat food insecurity in the Lasell community.