Souper Bowl Monday: Students, Retirees Unite to Help the Homeless

A dozen bowls were painted Monday at Waterford Terrace.

But unlike other arts and crafts projects at the retirement community on Aztec Drive, these had a special purpose—feeding the homeless in San Diego.

A half-dozen students from Foothills Christian High School joined about the same number of residents to prepare the 6-inch ceramic bowls, good for soup or cereal, as part of the “Empty Bowls” project.

Foothills Christian art teacher Ginger Armstrong set up paints and brushes about 1 p.m., and the students arrived a little later. The 250-student school is just a few blocks north of La Mesa, east of Fletcher Parkway.

Some 300 bowls—prepared for firing at small painting parties in recent weeks—will be sold for $10 each at a “Souper Bowl” sale Feb. 19 under Such As I Have Ministries. The cost includes soup and bread as well.

“Every time [buyers] pull that bowl out of the kitchen cabinet, it’s a reminder” of the homeless who benefit, said Armstrong, a Lakeside resident.

Cheryl Ruse, activities coordinator at Waterford Terrace, says Foothills Christian students visit the retirement home every couple months.

“We’re building bridges here,” Ruse said.