The Empty Bowls Dinner, one of the many community programs hosted by the Connection Homeless Shelter throughout the years, entertained guests with a dinner and a live musical performance by Skylar Faith on Thursday at the D&N Event Center.

North Platte High was one of several local schools invited to hand-craft ceramic bowls for the Connection’s event. The school’s Art Club made a multitude of bowls some of which were displayed across several tables during the dinner. “I think this opportunity was great,” said NPHS Art Club sponsor, Joy Petersen. “The [Art Club] kids were super excited for it.”

Kaitlyn Baker, a four year Art Club member, found the project fun and impactful. “It was for a good cause and a great way to help [the community.]”

Homeless Connection director, Ashley Lewis, set up the entire fundraiser this year, inviting several speakers that were former clients of the shelter. She has been the director for one year so far. “The former director retired around the same time I graduated from college… and the [Connection Homeless Shelter] was where my heart told me I needed to be,” she said. Besides the business aspect of her work, Lewis especially enjoys engaging with clients, “They are really great to work with and are amazing people,” said Lewis.

Homeless shelters across the country assemble and take part in the Empty Bowls Dinner. Those national shelter also have schools to take part in making bowls to help “students to get involved and put work into something that helps others.” At the end of the dinner guests bring one bowl home as a reminder of the 553,742 people experiencing homelessness in the United States (National Alliance to End Homelessness).

Celebrating their 32nd year as a North Platte organization, this important community event has allowed the Connection Homeless Shelter to gain more exposure. In previous years, the Connection hosted local events including the “Hoggy Doggy Splash” and “North Platte Has Talent.”