Empty Bowl Fundraiser Returns March 10

You’ll come with an empty bowl, and you’ll leave with a full heart.

That is what organizers from Kokomo Urban Outreach hope at the Empty Bowl fundraiser returns from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m. on March 10.

Bowls ready to be fired.

TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt

For the Up Programs at Kokomo Urban Outreach, making sure kids have the resources and education they need to become successful adults is a huge priority, said Sherry Rahl, executive director.

“The kids we’re serving have unlimited potential, but they are like the empty bowl and they need to be poured into. We’re pouring into these kids in order for them to learn life skills, work ethic and education,” said Rahl.

After a five-year hiatus from the event, Kokomo Urban Outreach is eagerly anticipating the big return at a new space, Cross America, located at 840 Daniel Drive, Kokomo.

The simple meal guests will be served consists of a selection of soups from local chefs and restaurants, bread and a cookie.

This year, the public was invited to share their creativity and be involved in the bowl painting process, which has previously been limited to participants in the Up Programs at Kokomo Urban Outreach.

“We felt like it was really neat to include families,” said Rahl. “We have a beautiful space to come do that, they learn about the program and spend time with their family. To me, that’s what it’s all about.”

The premise of the evening is not only to shine a spotlight on Kokomo Urban Outreach but to join the community together over a shared cause.

Up Program Participants Paint Bowls in Anticipation of The Empty Bowl

TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt

“We have such great kids in the program, and I think about many more that are out there that could be mentored. I want this fundraiser to help raise awareness for who Kokomo Urban Outreach really is, and what other capacity we could fill to help kids become self-reliant,” said Rahl.

At 6:45 p.m., local Kokomo celebrities including the Up Program’s Kareen Dunn, Bree Bragg from The Kokomo Post and Liz Kerns from the Indiana Wesleyan University Thrive Center will donate their masterpieces for auction to raise money for Kokomo Urban Outreach.

“This will be my first time participating so while I'm putting some pressure on myself to create something attractive that will be displayed in someone’s home, I'm mostly just excited to experience the Empty Bowl event first-hand and to contribute in some way to such a great cause,” said Bragg.

Entry to this fundraiser is a free-will donation, and all guests will leave with one of the more than 500 hand-painted ceramic bowls. MaryAnne Dishon, the ceramics teacher at Taylor High School, has continuously donated her time to help fire up to 700 bowls to prepare for this event. “That's our gift to you,” said Rahl. “You’ll come to eat with us and have a good meal. This will help our kids to be able to be taken care of throughout the program.”

The goal of this event is to raise $30,000 to continue funding the Up Programs at Kokomo Urban Outreach, which currently serves more than 300 children in the community with more kids joining every week.

“I think this is a very worthwhile program for people to put stock into for the future of our kids. This is the next generation. This is who’s going to be carrying us forward. We need to pour into these kids now so they can be the leaders we need to be,” said Rahl.

For more information, visit Kokomo Urban Outreach’s website or Facebook page.