The state basketball semi-finals took a toll on attendance at the annual fundraiser, but who can object to that?

ALEXANDRIA — The Alexandria Cardinals (make that the State Champion Alexandria Cardinals) were battling out their semi-final match in the Twin Cities Thursday evening, and that was making the crowd at the Empty Bowls Project 2025 back home a little sparse.

This is the 12th year that Alexandria Area High School’s Empty Bowls Project has been organized by the students in Kelly Hilbrands’ Civic Service and Engagement Class, a project designed to benefit the United Way and the Outreach, AAHS and Discovery Middle School food shelves - but the customary crowds were absent. Emotions were passing across Hillbrands’ face like clouds on a sunny day. Sunshine: The Empty Bowl project. Clouds: many of its regular supporters were in the Cities for the games. Sunshine: the Cardinals are in the state finals. More sunshine: local restaurants collaborated with the project to provide soups this year. Clouds: there weren’t as many people there to appreciate it.

Regardless, once again the Art Show and the live music, not to mention the silent auction and the empty bowls themselves, showed off the stunning array of artistic ability in the community.

And Hillbrands was hoping when the fan bus pulled up just outside the commons area that evening, that folks would be in the mood for a little music, a little soup, and a little art appreciation.