Third Avenue, Hands to Art Seek Bowl Painters to Fund Backpack Program

Community artists and shoppers rallied to fill a basic need in Kootenai County by turning handmade bowls into a fundraiser for hungry children. Third Avenue Marketplace partnered with Hands to Art to collect painted bowls that were sold at Empty Bowls 2026, held January 23, 2026, with proceeds supporting the Weekend Backpack Program, which provides weekly food for more than 250 local children.

The collaboration invited residents to take home Empty Bowls To-Go Kits from Hands to Art at 3115 N. Government Way, No. 4, leave a $10 deposit, paint their bowls at home, and return them for inclusion in the sale. The project aimed to expand community participation beyond studio nights by making it simple for parents, students, and working residents to contribute without needing pottery experience or on-site time.

Organizers positioned the effort as a community-driven approach to hunger relief, connecting local creativity to direct aid. Funds raised at Empty Bowls 2026 will be funneled into the Weekend Backpack Program to stretch weekly food resources for children who rely on school meals during the week but face gaps on weekends. For families living paycheck to paycheck, that difference can affect nutrition, school performance, and long-term health outcomes.

Public health implications extend beyond a single event. Consistent access to nutritious food for children reduces risks of anemia, developmental delays, and chronic disease later in life, and it supports concentration and attendance in school. Community fundraisers such as the Empty Bowls sale provide immediate, targeted relief; however, organizers say sustained solutions require broader policy attention, stable funding, and cross-sector coordination among schools, nonprofits, and local government.

For Kootenai County residents, the Empty Bowls project was both a fundraiser and a visible reminder that local action matters. The approach also fostered volunteerism and creativity in a format that accommodated busy schedules, allowing families and individuals to contribute by painting at home. That accessibility can broaden participation from people who might not otherwise be able to attend volunteer events during business hours.

To participate or get information, pick up an Empty Bowls To-Go Kit at Hands to Art, 3115 N. Government Way, No. 4, and leave the $10 deposit. Returning painted bowls ensured they would be included in the Empty Bowls sale and help raise funds for the Weekend Backpack Program. The initiative shows how small acts of craft and charity can add up to meaningful support for more than 250 children in the county, while underscoring the need for sustainable policies to address child food insecurity across Kootenai County.