Since September, senior Morgan Stevenson has been busy sculpting, painting and glazing unique clay bowls for the annual Empty Bowls Project held by the Naperville North Ceramics classes.

Empty Bowls, a national project, aims to raise money and awareness to end hunger in local communities. According to Ceramics teacher Shay Rehs, all proceeds from this year will go toward the local West Suburban Food Pantry.

“It’s an awesome way for [the Ceramics kids] to create things, but for a great purpose,” Stevenson said. “I absolutely love the idea.”

Ceramics classes have been contributing to the fundraiser for the past five years. This year, it will be held on Wednesday, April 15 from 5-7 p.m. in the commons. At the event, each bowl is filled with a small portion of soup for $10, and the buyer later takes the bowl home.

“It is not a feast by any means. The small amount of soup is a reminder that many people are hungry,” Rehs said. “Buyers then bring their empty bowl home as a reminder that there are people in our community who will be going to bed hungry.”

This year, Empty Bowls will occur twice at NNHS. According to Rehs, the community will be able to donate to the cause on Wednesday, April 15. On Friday, April 17, NNHS faculty who were unable to make the original event will be able to help the hungry.

“This year, we really incorporated the CTE department,” Rehs said. “Advertising classes have been creating all the posters and flyers, and our advanced culinary students will be making the soup for Friday’s event.”

Stevenson is a Ceramics 2 student and has a special connection with the bowls she has made.

“These are the first pieces that I’ve thrown on the wheel, and I’m sad to not be able to keep them,” Stevenson said. “However, it’s cool seeing that your art will be in someone else’s home.”

Rehs stated Ceramics students make approximately 250 to 400 bowls every year.

“I’ve never really thought of ceramics as something that could help the world in such a cool way,” Stevenson said. “It’s kids using their artistic abilities to do something better and to give back.”