Oakton Empty Bowls event raised $28,000 to fight hunger

This year's Empty Bowls event at Oakton Community College raised more than $28,000 for local food pantries by selling more than 1,700 ceramic pieces and completing silent auctions for larger, fine-art pieces.

Throughout the year, members of the Oakton Ceramics Club create works of ceramic art - bowls, cups and vases - to donate to the Empty Bowls fundraiser. The Chicago Woodturners also create unique pieces for the fundraiser.

Patrons of the Dec. 1 event purchased beautiful handmade pieces, enjoyed a hot bowl of soup and were entertained by uplifting music by the Rick and Trevor Shandling Duo.

The money raised will be distributed to the Des Plaines Self Help Closet and Food Pantry; New Trier Township Food Pantry; Niles Township Food Pantry; Northfield Township Food Pantry; Maine Township Food Pantry; and Interfaith Action of Evanston.

Over the past 15 years, Empty Bowls at Oakton has raised more than $270,000 to fight hunger.