Handmade pottery bowls will be available to 150 people at the annual Empty Bowls event at NDSS, a fundraiser for Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

food insecurity

‘Our way to give back:’ Nanaimo fundraiser starting with an empty bowl

Feb 22, 2025 | 6:44 AM

NANAIMO — A global program to fight food insecurity is again returning to the local level through a Harbour City secondary school.

Students and staff at Nanaimo District Secondary School will host their annual Empty Bowl night on March 5 at the school’s cafeteria. It’s an event where ticket holders receive a handmade pottery bowl, soup and a bun, and raise money for Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank.

Teacher sponsor for the event Lisa Brockley told NanaimoNewsNOW they see the challenges of food security everywhere.

“We have a lot of that in our own school, so this is our way to give back to those in need. The symbolism of the empty bowl…you’re getting a very simple meal of soup and a bun, which is as much, if not more than some people in the city are eating every day.”

Tickets went on sale on Friday, Feb. 14 and typically sell out quickly, according to Brockley.

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They can be purchased through the NDSS front office during school hours.

Brockley said the event is limited to 150 people, due to the posted capacity in the cafeteria and a number of local groups have been hard at work on the wheel in recent months.

“We have created 150 pottery bowls, mostly through community involvement. Our student council has also made some, both our art students at NDSS have also made them, and we also have some local potters who have donated bowls as well.”

Participants get to select their bowl on the night of the event, use it for a variety of soup options, then wash and take it home as a keepsake.

A silent auction will also look to raise additional funds, alongside proceeds from ticket sales.

Live entertainment will be provided by the NDSS jazz band.

Empty Bowl is an international effort, run over the last 20 years, by the Imagine/RENDER Group, who work to end world hunger and raise awareness about food insecurity in communities.

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