San Juan College Charity Bowl Sale Raises Funds for Housing

The San Juan College Charity Bowl Sale returned to the Henderson Fine Arts Center on November 20 and 21, bringing together campus makers and local residents for a long standing tradition of art and service. San Juan College students and staff offered hand made ceramic bowls for fifteen dollars each with soup included, while other handmade items were also available. Admission to the event was free, and the community gathered at 4601 College Boulevard in Farmington to support the college and local nonprofits.

Now celebrating more than 21 years of giving back, the sale blends experiential learning with direct community support. Proceeds from this year s sale will benefit Tres Rios Habitat for Humanity®. Funds raised are earmarked for local housing efforts and student projects, linking a simple meal to broader goals of housing stability and educational opportunity. For residents, that means the purchase of a bowl was both a warm meal and a contribution to efforts that address the root causes of poverty and housing insecurity.

Beyond the immediate benefit of affordable soup and a unique piece of art, the event carries public health implications. Affordable hot meals at community gatherings can ease short term food insecurity and help older adults and low income families access nutrition in a social setting. The connection between stable housing and health is well documented, and supporting Habitat for Humanity work locally aligns charitable giving with long term strategies to reduce health disparities tied to housing instability.

The sale also functioned as a hands on learning opportunity for students who make the bowls and help run the event. Those practical skills in ceramics and event organization supplement classroom learning while reinforcing civic engagement. Community members who attended had a chance to support student projects directly, to meet campus makers, and to participate in a civic culture that values mutual aid.

San Juan County faces ongoing challenges around affordable housing and economic inequality, and local fundraisers like the Charity Bowl Sale are one piece of a broader community response. While nonprofit partners and volunteer driven events cannot replace policy level solutions, they provide crucial immediate support and maintain momentum for broader change. Residents seeking more information about the event or about future opportunities to support local housing efforts can contact San Juan College at 505 566 3486.

The Charity Bowl Sale is an example of how art, education, and service can come together to address tangible needs. For many in Farmington and across San Juan County, the event offered nourishment, connection, and a small but important investment in the stability of neighbors and students alike.