The Empty Bowls event is a yearly event where Los Banos High School and Pacheco High School Interact Clubs unite with the Los Banos Rotary Chapter to give back and support the local community.

This year, admission to the event was $20, which included unlimited soup and a handcrafted bowl made by Los Banos and Pacheco High School students. The ceramic bowl symbolized the community’s commitment to fighting hunger year round. 

In total, 17 different soups such as onion soup, lobster bisque, clam chowder, meatball soup, mushroom soup, and broccoli cheese soup, were donated by local restaurants, caterers, and community members. Approximately 200 people attended and enjoyed the evening, creating a lively and fast paced atmosphere filled with conversation and plenty of refills.

All funds raised support the Feed the Need project, which provides 75 weekend meals to families across several schools in the district. Volunteers from Interact at Pacheco and Los Banos High School, along with students from Pacheco’s AVID program and many community members, helped make the event a success. The Rotary Club also contributed funds to support the program’s continued impact.

Throughout the year, students from both schools worked together to prepare for the event, which raises awareness about hunger and provides support to local charities. The event’s purpose goes beyond serving good, it is about connection, compassion, and community involvement. 

Nathan Riofrio (12), secretary of the Interact Club, shared his thoughts on the event’s impact.

“Empty Bowls really shows how much we can accomplish when we all work together; it is not just about volunteering. It is about helping our community and learning what it means to lead,” Riofrio said.

The Empty Bowls Event also encourages leadership, service, and teamwork, which values shared by the Rotary Organization and the Interact Clubs.

“We want students to see that their actions matter, even something as simple as serving soup can create real change in someone’s life,” Riofrio added.

The Empty Bowls Event stands as a reminder that when students unite for a common goal, they can strengthen their community and inspire others to give back.