Students at River Oaks Elementary School in Dearborn Heights work on bowls that will be available for guests to take home at the Empty Bowls event on Nov. 17. Empty Bowls, organized by the Dearborn Public Schools Art Department, is an annual fundraiser for local food charities.
DEARBORN — The Dearborn Public Schools Art Department will host its 34th annual Empty Bowls meal 4:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at Park Place Banquet Hall, 23400 Park St.
For a minimum $6 entrance fee, guests who attend this family friendly dinner may select a one-of-a-kind handmade bowl and enjoy a serving of tasty soup and bread. Pen cups, paperweights, and other handmade clay items also may be available. The items are made by DPS students in kindergarten through high school and by district art teachers.
Money raised through Empty Bowls will support Gleaners Food Bank and Blessings in a Backpack, local charities that help feed the hungry in the community, including DPS families. Guests can take their bowls or other items home as a reminder of all those who go hungry each day.
“This community service learning project is a win-win-win. Empty Bowls allows art teachers and their students to create bowls and other crafts to raise money. It involves the community, which donates items and attends the event, and it provides more than $3,000 each year to local charities to help those in need. The Art Department is very proud of the continued success of Empty Bowls,” said DPS Art Resource teacher Sunshine Durant, who helps coordinate the event.
A few soups will be available, including vegetarian and gluten free options. A tin can raffle will also be held.
No reservations are required, but those who arrive early will see all of the unique handmade items available to take home.
Empty Bowls events are held around the world as part of a grassroots movement by artists and craftspeople to care for and feed the hungry in communities. Other sponsors for this year’s event include Park Place, Blick Art Materials, Sammy’s Pizza, and Starbucks.
To learn more about the event, view a video of the 2023 Empty Bowls fundraiser.