Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls: Rain City Clay + Boulevard Park Place

The Empty Bowls movement began in 1990 in Bloomington, Indiana, when art teacher John Hartom and his students made handmade bowls for a community meal, raising money to fight hunger. Guests paid for a simple soup-and-bread meal and took home a handmade bowl, with the empty bowl serving as a symbol of hunger.

The idea quickly spread through pottery studios, schools, and communities around the world. Today, Empty Bowls events bring people together through clay, food, and community, raising funds for local hunger-relief organizations.

Empty Bowls at BPP

Sandy, organizer for the Fall Bazaar with a handmade quilt that was part of the 2026 fundraiser.

💧 Rain City Clay is teaming up with Boulevard Park Place’s Sewing and Crafts Club to support the Tukwila Food Bank.

Each year, Boulevard Park Place (BPP) hosts a wonderful Fall Bazaar where residents make and sell handmade gifts, quilts, and food to raise money for a local nonprofit. The residents also prepare a delicious variety of baked goods, soups and stews to share at the event.

This year, Rain City Clay will donate handmade bowls to pair with the soups, bringing the Empty Bowls tradition to BPP and helping raise further funds for the Tukwila Food Bank.

Event Details

🟠 The Fall Bazaar & Empty Bowls Event is on Nov. 6th from Noon-2:30pm
This event is open to the public, and we encourage you to attend!
All proceeds from the event are donated to the Tukwilla Food Bank.

Boulevard Park Place, 2805 S 125th Street, Building 1 (upper building), Seattle, WA 98168

Bowl Guidelines

We’re asking RCC community members to donate 1–3 bowls each.
We are hoping for 50-75 bowls total.

Getting Bowls Fired:

💧 RCC Participants

RCC folks may have bowls that will be donated fired at RCC

Bisque Deadline: Drop Off at RCC: October 17th at 5pm
Glaze Deadline: Drop off glazed bisqueware at RCC: Monday the 26th at 5pm

🐀 RCS Participants

RCS Participants may have bowls that will be donated fired at RSC

Bisque Deadline: Drop Off at RCS: October 17th at 5pm
Glaze Deadline: Drop off glazed bisqueware at RCS: Monday the 26th at 5pm

Bowl Quality

  • 5-6" diameter after glaze firing

  • Food-safe and suitable for serving soup

  • No cracks, sharp edges, or sharp glaze

  • No pits or other defects on the interior

  • Bowls should be finished and eat-out-of

  • All proceeds will be donated

🟠 DROP-OFF DEADLINE:
Bowls must be received at Rain City Clay by November 1st, 2027.

This is a quick turnaround, so please email us as soon as possible with your general commitment and the number of bowls you plan to donate. Knowing how many bowls to expect will help us coordinate with BPP. Email info@raincityclay.com with your name and # of bowls you will make to indicate your desire to participate!

Thank you for helping us bring clay, food, and community together to support our neighbors.

From Houston, TX - Center for Cont. Craft

From Boulder, CO - Watershed School

From Milwaukee Empty Bowls

About Boulevard Park Place

Boulevard Park Place is a family-owned independent living community in Burien, where neighbors, friends, and family have built a vibrant community for 30 years. Set on 12 acres of gardens, walking paths, and koi ponds, BPP offers residents a place to stay active, creative, and connected while enjoying the comforts of home. (Learn More)

The Steinman family has owned and operated Boulevard Park Place since it opened in 1996, and that family spirit continues to shape the community today. From resident-led activities and craft spaces to shared meals and gatherings, there is a strong emphasis on connection, generosity, and enjoying life together.