S(o)uper Fundraiser

One of the most anticipated announcements of the year was made last week: the menu for this year’s Empty Bowls Dinner at Watauga High School.

The 12th annual Empty Bowls Dinner, a fundraiser for the Hunger and Health Coalition, will be held at Watauga High School from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Admission is a minimum donation of $15.

The menu at this year’s event will include French, honey wheat and spinach feta rolls from Stick Boy Bread Company, broccoli cheddar soup from the WHS Pro-Start II and Advanced Food II classes, Italian basil minestrone soup from Casa Rustica, potato soup from Pepper’s Restaurant, curry butternut squash soup from Melanie’s Food Fantasy, Brunswick stew from Woodland’s Barbecue and Pickin’ Parlor, Troy’s traditional chili from Troy’s 105 Diner, clam chowder from The Speckled Trout and ginger carrot bisque from F.A.R.M. Café.

The dinner will also feature a large variety of desserts prepared by the Friends of Watauga organization.

Now in its 12th year, Empty Bowls is a project undertaken by Watauga High School art students each year to raise money for the Hunger and Health Coalition. Diners pay for a handmade ceramic bowl and are fed a simple meal of soup, bread and drink. The idea is to get the public to think about the numerous families — many right in the High Country — who go hungry on a regular basis.

At the end of the meal, diners get to keep their handmade bowl as a reminder to continue to reach out to those in our community who are less fortunate.

The previous 11 Empty Bowls dinners have raised $56,200 for the Hunger and Health Coalition.
This year, bowls and art for Empty Bowls have been created by the WHS art students under the direction of instructors Whit Whitaker, Lori Hill, Susan Dunn and Shelton Wilder. There will also be bowls made by Watauga County elementary school students under the direction of art teachers Dacia Trethewey and Jill Huffman. Some area professional potters have also donated work, such as the artisans of ASU’s Michael Patricelli Crafts Enrichment Program.

This year’s Empty Bowls Dinner will also feature a silent auction with a wide variety of donated and handcrafted items.

Live music for the event will be provided by student musicians in Watauga High School’s string band, chorus, orchestra, jazz band and theater class groups.

Watauga High School is located at 300 Go Pioneers Drive in Boone. For more information, call WHS at (828) 264-2407.

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Mr. WHS Pageant

The annual Mr. WHS Pageant will take place in the WHS auditorium at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23. The event will raise funds for several needy families. Admission is $10 per person.

For more information, call (828) 264-2407.