By Brandi Makuski

More than 1,000 people are expected to fill the south commons of Stevens Point Area Senior High on Saturday for the 15th annual Empty Bowls event.

The lunch fundraiser kicks off on Oct. 22 at 11 AM in the high school cafeteria, 1201 North Point Drive, and runs through 2:30 PM.

For a cost of $11, attendees will get to take home their choice from a collection of donated, handmade bowls. The cost also includes lunch, which will consist of soup, bread sticks and beverages. Proceeds benefit the Portage Co. Hunger & Poverty Prevention Partnership.

According to Gregg Hansel, who chairs the event, the event’s tagline is “A Reminder That Someone’s Bowl is Always Empty.”

“We’ve got about 40 restaurants who’ve [sic] donated soup,” Hansel said, adding a variety of soups are being donated by The Wooden Chair, Mikey’s, Hilltop Pub and Grill, Clancey’s Stone Lion, and several other area establishments. Bread sticks from Fazoli’s are also being donated for the event.

Hansel said the bowls themselves were created various groups of volunteers during “bowl parties” throughout the year, utilizing donated clay and other materials.

“We’ve had church groups making bowls, businesses making bowls — all sorts of people making bowls,” Hansel said. “The response for this event has always been great.”

Hansel said Empty Bowls To Go will also return this year, with derby girls from the Mid-State Sisters of Skate delivering to-go orders to motorists waiting in designated spots in the SPASH parking lot.

The event will also feature a clown, kids activities, a pottery demonstration and family-friendly entertainment, including The Grenadiers at 11 AM, and children’s entertainer Tom Pease at noon.

For more information, or to volunteer, go to www.emptybowlsportageco.com.