Empty Bowls Ice Cream Social Fundraiser Helps Feed Local Families in Need

Coils of pink clay, fluted shapes and other original creations highlighted Fenton Area Public Schools' annual Empty Bowls, at 's Donaldson Drive Campus Thursday.

Fourth and eighth grade, and , students created clay bowls for the annual fundraiser, which benefits local food pantries, said high school art teacher Kristin Poniers. This year, the event is helping St. Vincent de Paul Society's emergency food distribution at in Fenton.   

Guests purchased the students' clay bowls for $5 each and enjoyed ice cream sundaes in the AGS Middle School cafeteria. The empty clay bowls symbolize people who do not have food, Poniers said. Each year, a different local food pantry receives the proceeds from Empty Bowls.

Junior Megan Baxter, who made a bowl in her art class for the event, said, "I think it's cool because it's for charity."    

Juniors Megan Rumbles and Katherine Vancura helped scoop vanilla ice cream for the sundaes. At a table in the AGS cafeteria, Jaimee Dunkel and daughters Jessica, a first-grader at North Road Elementary School, and Macie, 2, had ice cream. They purchased a bowl, and Jaimee said older daughter Madison, a fourth-grader at North Road, made one for the event. Madison wasn't able to attend because of a sporting event.    

"It's so neat to see what everyone has done," Jaimee Dunkel said. "It looks great."    

Fred Sieradzki, coordinator for St. Vincent de Paul Society, said Empty Bowls will help feed people in need through the food program at St. John Catholic Church. People receive food once a month, along with some items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and toilet paper. The program averages 30 calls per month from families, with many requests from families of six to eight where the adult children have lost their homes and moved in with their parents, bringing their own children.    

To donate to the food program at St. John Catholic Church, contact (810) 629-2251.

Rovin Ceramics donated the clay for Empty Bowls, and parent volunteers helped make the event possible.