OUR Center's 'Empty Bowls' event returning to Longmont in full force
Feb. 16—Longmont nonprofit OUR Center will hold its annual soup luncheon and fundraiser, Empty Bowls, next month in a new venue without the pandemic regulations that have impacted the gathering for three years.
On March 11, guests will have the opportunity to browse and take home painted bowls made at Crackpots pottery studio in downtown Longmont during the luncheon, which will feature food from several local caterers, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This year marks the 20th iteration of the event and the first at Trail Ridge Middle School, 1000 Button Rock Drive. Last year, Empty Bowls was held in June in the form of an ice cream social, postponed due to a high number of COVID-19 cases.
"It was still great, people came out and were able to enjoy it," said Elaine Klotz, OUR Center development director. "But we're super excited to bring it back to our so-called traditional event. I'm not sure if we'll get quite the 700 to 800 (people) we normally have, but we may be pleasantly surprised."
Upwards of 100 bowls will be available for purchase in an online silent auction that will open after the luncheon. People are invited to paint and donate bowls for the event at the Crackpots studio, 505 Main St., through Feb. 26.
Klotz said previous years have seen over 1,000 bowls donated to the fundraiser. Most come from Crackpots, but OUR Center has also reached out to Longmont-area schools to encourage students to donate bowls made in their art classes.
"It's a way for community members at large to be involved, and it's great for team building," Klotz said.
Tickets — which are $25 in advance and $30 at the door — and sponsorships for the fundraiser can be purchased at bit.ly/3XRFsuJ. All proceeds go toward OUR Center's food program.
