Handcrafted bowls are now in homes all throughout the community after the successful Empty Bowls Project held at Village Elementary School in Hilton on March 5. The event raised over $1,800 for the Hilton Cadet Cupboard, The Bridge of Rochester and Heifer International. Every third, fourth, fifth and sixth grader created a bowl to donate to the event. For $5 per family, participants received a handcrafted bowl and a simple meal of soup and bread. The bowl serves as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger and was created by The Imagine Render Group, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that strives to create positive and lasting social change through the arts, education, and projects that build community.
Students at all three Hilton elementary schools – Northwood, Quest and Village – created bowls from a variety of materials – clay, plaster, paper maché – some of which are useable and others just decorative. The proceeds from the event will be divided evenly between the three charities.
Cadet Cupboard is a food pantry for the students in the Hilton Central School District. Children in need are provided with essential, nutritious food that they can subtly take home and safely prepare on their own. The Bridge of Rochester is a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who share the common goal of empowering individuals and families who are homeless in Monroe County while seek community solutions. And Heifer International links communities and helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas around the world with a long history of poverty.
The event drew 600 guests and about 45 volunteers that included parents, staff, high school students, and Village fifth and sixth grade students. Students created a total of 1,200 bowls. For the next two weeks, remaining bowls are available for $5 each in the libraries at the three elementary schools. Students also sold ceramic hearts for $1 each, created decorations for the event and responded to questions like, “What does hunger mean?” on index cards posted throughout the hallways.
Among those who helped make the project a success were Campbell’s and the Hilton Family Restaurant which donated 600 servings of soup; Hilton Food Service for donating bread; and the Hilton Rotary Club for donating bottled water.
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