A global project to help feed families has made its way to Sacramento State’s beginning wheel ceramics class.
The class is hosting an Empty Bowls Fundraiser where potters sell bowls that they’ve created.
The proceeds will go toward a local food bank — in this case, the students chose to donate to the ASI Food Pantry on campus.
The event will be this Saturday Nov. 22, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Alpha Fired Arts in North Highlands.
Chuck Owens, the part-time lecturer and instructor of the class, said the concept of the fundraiser is sell the bowls and serve soup to people
“Whoever buys the bowls gets a meal and you fill the bowl,” Owens said. “The symbolism of an empty bowl is kind of to be that symbol of those who don’t have any food.”
Owens said the bowl prices range between $5 and $50. Bowls are also from local high schools in Sacramento and in Manteca where two Sac State alumni are teaching art students.
Sac State’s students are not only making bowls, but have been instrumental in the fundraising efforts.
Regina Alfaro holds the bowls that she created for the fundraiser. Alfaro is a ethnic studies major with a minor in art.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
Regina Alfaro, ethnic studies major with a minor in art, is a part of the class and is responsible for getting local food businesses involved.
Alfaro reached out to Revolution Wines in Midtown, who said they would provide soup for the fundraiser, and Moonbelly Bakery which will be providing fresh bread. Her family is also making Pozole.
“I think the importance is that we’re feeding families, more importantly, students at Sac State,” she said. “I think that getting the money to them is just something that we can do with our art, and it’s like helping out our own community as well as helping the artists here.”
Child and adolescent development major, Melissa Schmidt, was excited when she heard professor Owens wanted to start the fundraiser at Sac State because it’s something she has participated in the past.
That led her to reach out to the current chair of the art department, Dr. Rachel Miller, to get her involved.
Melissa Schmidt with some of the bowls she crafted for the Empty Bowls fundraiser. She has participated in this event in the past and is happy they’ve brought it to Sacramento State.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
“I was excited that that was going to be happening, especially when [Owens] decided to connect with the ASI food pantry,” Schmidt said. “We decided to choose the ASI Food Pantry because we decided why not benefit Sac State students?”
For more information on the event, visit the Empty Bowls fall 2025 website.
Editor’s note: CapRadio is licensed to Sacramento State, which is also an underwriter.
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