Ferrum College is set to host its 16th annual Empty Bowls Event on March 15 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall.

Empty Bowls is an annual event and movement held on campus to fight local hunger.

It highlights the labors of various artists in collaboration with the community, with 100% of the proceeds donated to the Panther Packs Program, a program that feeds food-insecure families at Ferrum Elementary School, just across the street from campus. Ceramics Professor Nell Fredericksen looks forward to the event.

“Empty Bowls has been a Ferrum College event for 16 years,” explains Fredericksen. “It is organized by the College, and supported by the college Ceramics program, the Blue Ridge Potters Guild, Metz Culinary Management, numerous community groups, who come and make bowls, and many local and regional artists that donate to the silent auction.”

The concept of Empty Bowls is simple. The community creates and donates bowls for attendees to purchase and fill with soup on the day of the event. This year, there are more than 500 bowls ready to purchase, along with more than 100 silent auction items for attendees to bid for the chance to take home.

Fredericksen takes pride in the community engagement with the event.

“It is a unique event,” she says, “(and) only possible through the collaboration of the college with the community, joining forces to help a program that is so important to our community, the Ferrum Elementary Panther Pack Program.”

Last year’s event was a success.

“The event raised over $13,000 last year with close to 600 bowls,” offers Fredericksen.

This year, Fredericksen hopes for another successful event, filled with full hearts and empty bowls.