Empty Bowls project a ‘huge success’ at Alexandria High School – Alexandria Echo Press
ALEXANDRIA — The Empty Bowls project, organized by Kelly Hilbrands’ Civic Service and Engagement class on Thursday, March 31, raised awareness about hunger in the community and raised nearly $3,000.
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Hilbrands said she considers the fundraiser, held at Alexandria Area High School, a huge success, especially for not having run for the past three years.
“The best part was seeing everyone come out to support us and enjoy the night,” Hilbrands said. “We even ran out of chili!”
So far, the project has raised $2,870 – after expenses – to be donated equally between The Outreach Food Shelf, AAHS’ The Shelf, Discovery Middle School’s The Shelf and United Way’s Backpack Attack.
Hilbrands added that the number of donations is still counted. Usually the event raises around $4,000.
In addition to chili, chicken noodle soup and breadsticks from Angelina’s Restaurant, attendees enjoyed live entertainment with performances by The Rainbow Strings, The Silhouettes and Isaac Baldry.
Thalen Zimmerman/Alexandria Echo Press
Bowls made from Nathan Knick’s pottery class were available for purchase. And digital art professor Kassandra Gibbons has set up an AAHS art exhibit, featuring student-imagined drawings, paintings, and digital art.
New this year was the horsehair pottery experience.
According to Knick, horsehair pottery originated with the Navajo natives to honor the death of a horse or celebrate the birth of a foal.
Horsehair pottery is completed by reheating a previously fired porcelain pot, adding strands of horsehair which burn on contact with the pot, then caramelizing the burning hair by dropping sugar or sawdust on it. The result is a threadlike lightning-like design in the jar.
Thalen Zimmerman/Alexandria Echo Press
Hilbrands said she had heard nothing but positive feedback about the event.
She would like to thank the teachers and school district for encouraging service-learning, the AAHS kitchen and custodial staff, the businesses and organizations that donated, and the community for coming. support students.
“Helping students and our community become aware of the needs we have in our community is an important part, and not forgetting what that ’empty bowl’ is on your kitchen table or counter,” Hilbrands said.
Thalen Zimmerman/Alexandria Echo Press