On February 19th, Watershed School hosted our third annual Boulder Empty Bowls Fundraiser, and once again, our community showed up in the most heartwarming way.
For our sold-out event, nearly 150 guests filled our space for an evening dedicated to one shared purpose: supporting our neighbors facing food insecurity. All proceeds from the night benefited Boulder’s Harvest of Hope Food Pantry, helping ensure more families in our community have reliable access to meals.
As always, one of the most special parts of Empty Bowls is the collaboration behind it. We were thrilled to once again partner with the Boulder Potters' Guild, whose talented members generously donated over 100 stunning handmade ceramic bowls for the event. Their artistry and commitment to community make this evening possible year after year.
Watershed ceramics educator Jeff Osgood (who is also a Guild member) worked with students leading up to the event to create even more beautiful bowls. Earlier this winter, our ceramics students held their third Bowl-a-thon, crafting around 75 additional handmade bowls to contribute to the fundraiser. The result? A room full of one-of-a-kind pieces, each with its own personality and story.
Guests began the evening by choosing their bowl (a favorite moment for attendees) before gathering for a simple, delicious meal of soup and bread generously donated this year by Lucky’s Bakehouse Cafe, Dish Gourmet, and West End Tavern.
During the evening, Jeff shared reflections on the creativity and dedication our students poured into every bowl, and spoke about the meaningful partnership we continue to build with the Boulder Potters' Guild. We also heard from Kelsey Harvey, Director of Development at Harvest of Hope, who offered powerful insight into the pantry’s mission and the growing need for food support right here in Boulder.
New this year, we expanded the impact of the event by tying in a community food drive, and our guests truly rose to the occasion. As people arrived, they brought generous donations of food and essential healthcare items, filling our collection area with contributions for Harvest of Hope. The response was incredible. This addition felt especially important during a time in what many are calling a “perfect storm”: record-high food insecurity, rising grocery prices due to inflation, and reductions in federal assistance through SNAP benefits. The generosity in the room was a moving reminder of how deeply our community cares.
We’re SO excited to announce that this year’s event raised $9,300! This amount was totaled from ticket sales, additional bowl sales & donations, plus a generous donor who offered a $2,000 match! That support will help provide more than 16,000 meals to community members who need them most.
We are so grateful to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, made soup, crafted bowls, set up tables, washed dishes, and helped spread the word. Empty Bowls continues to remind us what’s possible when art, education, and community come together.
One bowl at a time, it truly adds up.
