Warmth from the cold. Hot and delicious soup. Live entertainment.

Who knew helping could feel, smell, and taste so good?

Even though it was a chilly night in San Bruno, over a hundred people gathered to support the Empty Bowls Project in the dining hall at Skyline on Nov. 6, where they enjoyed a combination of artistry and conversation with a soup supper for a suggested donation of only $15.

The third occurrence of the fundraiser was hosted by the Ceramics Club and Sponsored by the Skyline Organizations and Club Council, with participation from Skyline and Capuchino’s ceramic students. Proceeds went to benefit the SparkPoint center on campus, which offers a wide range of support to students from a food-pantry to financial counseling.

The lights were dim, but the ambiance was lively. Ceramic students greeted and welcomed guests, who smiled and cheerfully chose from hundreds of bowls, one that spoke to them, which would soon be filled with savory soup. Pacific Dining provided guests with several options to select from, either chicken gumbo, clam chowder, or vegetable soup.

As guests ate, students unified to provide a variety of entertainment from comedy to music. Jokes were told, written by Capuchino student Jake Sarnecky, and Skyline’s Jazz Quintette performed a set of songs. Several voice students from Dr. Jude Navari’s class shared their talent with songs from the Great American Song Book, and the last performance was belly dancing led by Academic Senate President Leigh Anne Shaw of the Al-hambra Tribal Dance.

“The event was wonderful, performing is always a nerve wrecking but amazing feeling, but also the fundraiser itself was incredible,” said voice student Angel Yaeger. “There is so much effort that went into making the handmade bowls, which you get to pick your own and keep after you eat. I would attend if they did it again, the reason for the fundraiser is amazing and the atmosphere was wonderful.”

Another voice student who is in Yaeger’s class, Preston Sturtevant, shared similar thoughts on the evening.
The two of them, with other classmates, had been practicing since the beginning of the semester, day in and out on vocals and the melody to prepare, which he reflects positively about.

“It was great,” Sturtevant said. “It was cool that you got to keep the bowl, and help feed the hungry and sing.”

The Empty Bowls Project is a grassroots fundraiser that began in 1990, as a way for ceramic communities to participate internationally, in rearing more mindfulness of world hunger to the community at large. Profits are donated to a cause that is parallel to this goal. Artists spend hours of dedication, preparing handmade Bowls for guests to take home, and either a soup dinner or ice cream social is held for them.

Skyline became active in the fundraiser back in 2009, and ceramic students have been preparing themselves in the time between events, putting in hours of service to making their contribution to the project special by creating ceramic pieces, which were used in a drawing as a way to increase proceeds.

“We had a really good time,” Ceramics Club President Jeff Richards said. “It was lively and fun. SparkPoint came and gave a short presentation about who they are and what resources they provide and how appreciative they were to be participating in the Empty Bowls Project.”

“If you missed the event but would like to come check out the bowls we have left, we have them for sale in the ceramics studio. We hope that we can see you next time, look for us in about two years.”

Uopdate: This article has been edited to fix the misspelling of capuchino. 11:07 AM 11/18/13