Inside the Mesa Arts Center on Saturday, Oct. 17, guests browsed handmade bowls, each crafted by an Arizona artist for Waste Not’s Empty Bowl’s fundraiser. The Arizona nonprofit kicked off its 40th anniversary year. The event carried a bigger message— to fight hunger and protect the planet at the same time. It spotlighted a simple mission: rescuing good food before it reaches the landfill.
Every Handmade Bowl Tells a Story
At Empty Bowls, the dishware is the focal point. Members of the Arizona Clay Association create and donate more than 1,000 one-of-a-kind ceramic bowls, crafted exclusively for the event. Guests choose a bowl, and lunch is served right in it.
It’s a small detail with a big sustainability message. Instead of paper bowls headed for the trash, every guest leaves with a durable, reusable bowl made by a local artist. The empty bowl is meant as a reminder of the people in our community who go without a meal, and it can serve as an everyday reminder to waste less, too…