OUR Center 'Empty Bowls' event to raise money for meal program

Dana Cadey, Daily Times-Call, Longmont, Colo.
·2 min read

Mar. 6—The Longmont community can support OUR Center during the nonprofit's annual Empty Bowls fundraiser on Saturday.

Held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Longmont High School, 1040 Sunset St., the event includes a soup lunch from local restaurants and caterers, as well the chance to preview an online auction with more than 110 items. Guests will also be able to choose a hand-painted bowl to take home with them after the event.

This year, there are more than 1,000 bowls, most of which were painted over the last several weeks at downtown Longmont pottery studio Crackpots. Elaine Klotz, development director for OUR Center, said people painted more than 800 bowls for the event at Crackpots alone.

"Every one is totally unique," Klotz said of the bowls. "And we ask people to put the year on the bottom. That's part of the fun, kind of having a signature bowl from that year."

Empty Bowls is the primary fundraiser for OUR Center, with all proceeds going into the nonprofit's meal program. This is the first time in five years that Empty Bowls will be held at Longmont High School, which was the event venue for 15 years before the pandemic.

"Ever since COVID hit, we've had to make a lot of modifications to the event, but we've kept it going," Klotz said. "We've had some form of Empty Bowls just because people love it, and it's a great way to support our meal program."

Klotz said the event is a "community favorite," with more than 20 financial sponsors signing on to help this year. The auction also features several gift certificates and gift baskets from local businesses.

Some of the bowls up for grabs come from St. Vrain Valley School District students, who painted them in their art classes. Klotz said a few local pottery groups donated bowls this year, as well.

This year marks the 21st annual Empty Bowls, which Klotz said was a testament to how much the Longmont community has embraced the event. She said there are people who make an effort to be involved year after year, whether by painting a bowl, attending the event, or both.

"It's such a wonderful opportunity for not only good food but great fellowship, as well," Klotz said. "People recognize that the need is there to help our neighbors with meals."

Tickets are $25 before Saturday and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in person at OUR Center, 220 Collyer St., until noon on Friday. They can also be purchased at Crackpots, 505 Main St., until 8 p.m. Friday.

To buy a ticket online or get more information about the event, visit ourcenter.org/emptybowls.