Charleston News Online

NEEDHAM, Mass. –  August 25, 2026 – A year of clay, kilns, and volunteer hours will soon become meals for local families as North Hill’s Empty Bowls Project culminates with a benefit gala on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the North Hill campus. Every dollar raised will support the Needham Community Council’s Food Pantry.

The community-wide project brings North Hill residents and team members together to create 420 handmade bowls in celebration of North Hill’s 42nd anniversary. Each bowl is shaped, glazed, and fired on campus before being sold to raise funds for neighbors facing food insecurity.

Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement in which artists and craftspeople in communities around the world create handmade bowls to raise money for organizations that help feed people in need. The concept is simple: guests purchase a handmade bowl, enjoy a simple meal of soup, and take the bowl home as a lasting reminder that somewhere, a bowl is still empty.

At the September 14 gala, guests can purchase handmade bowls and enjoy soups provided by local eateries. Tickets are $42 per person, with seating times available at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Supporters who cannot attend may also arrange to pick up a bowl later or make a donation directly to the food pantry.

The project began in the spring when North Hill opened its ceramics studio to the public during Needham’s Open Studios on May 2 and 3. Neighbors of all ages participated in two daily sessions, sitting at the wheel, pressing clay into molds, and adding their own bowls to the project’s total.

The open-door approach was intentional. The project was designed so that anyone could participate at any level of ability, following the community-centered model of North Hill’s popular 2024 Yarn Bomb project.

The beneficiary of the Empty Bowls Project is the Needham Community Council’s Food Pantry, a longtime Needham institution serving more than 250 households in town. The pantry provides fresh fruits and vegetables, dry goods, dairy, meats, and personal care products. Households may shop twice a month by appointment and receive a week’s supply of nutritionally balanced food and personal care items free of charge.

“Seeing residents from all different backgrounds and walks of life, many of whom have never worked in clay before, come together for the common goal of helping our neighbors has been such an uplifting and encouraging experience,” said Arielle Wilson, Ceramicist at North Hill. “Each ceramic bowl has gone through a minimum of three sets of hands, from building to glazing, making each bowl completely unique. From beginning to end, each bowl represents a resident who wants to help their neighbor and encourage positivity. We are excited to see the outcome of all our efforts in September and celebrate the Needham community.”

Bowls are also available for purchase through North Hill’s website ahead of the event. Tickets, bowl sales, and full event details are available on the Empty Bowls Project page at northhill.org.

About North Hill

Founded in 1984, North Hill is a 59-acre continuing care retirement community in Needham, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. It was the first senior living community in Massachusetts to offer Lifecare contracts, a model that gives residents predictable monthly costs and lifelong support. Today, the campus is home to three distinct communities: Crescent Heights for independent living, Vista Terrace for enhanced living, and Pines Edge for skilled nursing and long-term care.

North Hill’s mission is to provide high-quality, innovative, and personalized services that enrich residents’ lives with opportunities for personal growth, wellness, and fulfillment. Confidence, community, and connection are central to life at North Hill.

Media Contact
Company Name: North Hill Retirement Community
Contact Person: Patty Cusack, Director of Sales & Marketing
Email: Send Email
Phone: 781-433-6157
Address:865 Central Ave Needham, MA 02492
City: Needham
State: MA 02492
Country: United States
Website: https://northhill.org/