The Food Bank of Idaho has teamed up with Boise Schools and other non-profit organizations to raise money for local families in need. The contribution throughout the years has been so successful that this is the event’s 21st year. This event in the Grove Plaza in downtown Boise on November 23rd is a great place to meet new people, enjoy a bowl of soup, and donate to a great cause this holiday season, helping the families in our community.

With over 2,000 unique bowls to choose from, schools, artists and nonprofits around Boise have made many one-of-a-kind, hand painted bowls for purchase. Many former and current Boise High students have participated in this event. The Boise High School ceramics classes contribute to this fundraiser by making the bowls and offering an opportunity for students, families, and the community to paint and decorate, then will be part of the selection of bowls to choose from at the event.

Many local artists and non-profits have also contributed bowls to this event. There are also way more than just the students and others who make the bowls to pull this event off. Without the help of many volunteers who come out and set up/clean up, this event could not be as successful as it is. Dozens of people come the day after Thanksgiving to help volunteer their time to this event. When you attend this event, after you have picked out a hand painted bowl, you can enjoy a various selection of soups and more! “Treasure Valley restaurants served up stews, bisques, chilis and chowders during the yearly family event,” according to KTVB staff.

In 2017, it was recorded that 2,037 individuals were homeless and in need in Idaho. One goal of this event is to raise awareness of homelessness and how prominent it is in the Boise community. Additionally, all profits raised through the bowl sales will directly benefit the Idaho Foodbank.

Idaho Foodbank Chief Development Officer, Morgan Wilson, said, “We’ll have more than 1,000 people that come in support of hunger relief today, and that’s important because 1 in 8 people, 1 in 6 kids across the state have experienced hunger.” The event will provide enough money for the Idaho Foodbank to provide 25,000 meals to Idaho families in need.

Boise High graduate, Jessie Dark, remembers the event clearly and how meaningful it was to contribute to this worthy cause. She states, “Empty Bowls helped acknowledge a huge part of Idaho homelessness that is generally overlooked.”