Artwork adorned the walls and hallways of Zachary High School, handmade pottery bowls lined tables and feeding the hungry was the goal of the evening at the second-annual Empty Bowls/Art Show event held Saturday, March 31.

ZHS art students' mission: to make nearly 500 bowls in an effort to feed Zachary's hungry.

Empty Bowls, a grassroots movement to end world hunger at the local level, raised $3,230 its first year with all proceeds benefitting the Zachary Food Pantry. "This year we'd like to give them $5,000," said Chloe Aguillard, ZHS art teacher.

Zachary art students worked hard to handcraft the pottery bowls which were sculpted, glazed and painted at school during classes. This year the students added recycled bowls made from magazines and card stock to their bowl collection.

For the price of a $10 ticket, attendees of the Empty Bowls event viewed artwork by the students on their way to the cafeteria, and once there, were treated to a delicious bowl of gumbo, a roll and tea. Sponsors of the event were Cajun Catch, Bunny Bread, Raising Cane's and Sammy's Grill.

Guests were also treated to a performance by student musicians as they dined. Following dinner, it was time to select a pottery bowl of their choice to take home as a reminder "of all the empty bowls in the world," Aguillard said.

"For every $10 the Zachary Food Pantry receives, that $10 can be stretched into $100 worth of food," Aguillard said.

"The kids worked really hard. We are so proud of them, and we're excited to be able to give back to the community in this way," said Aguillard.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from Empty Bowls will be given to the Zachary Food Pantry to help feed the hungry throughout the spring and summer.

Aguillard said this year's event raised $2,700. "If anyone would like to purchase a bowl, they are still available!" she said. "We'd still like to reach our goal of $5,000!"