Deerfield Elementary students get ready for Empty Bowls Dinner

Avondale School District Deerfield Elementary students are doing their part to raise money for Blessings in a Backpack by crafting 300 bowls to be given away during the school’s Empty Bowls Dinner on November 11th from 5:30 – 7:00pm.

“The students have been working hard creating these beautiful works of art that serve as heartfelt reminders of the bowls that remain empty in our own community,” said event organizer and Deerfield Elementary Art teacher Katherine Suender, “the bowls will be given away to each person who donates $5 to eat a soup dinner.”

Empty Bowls Dinners have been an Avondale staple since retired Art teacher Carol Glass brought the concept to the community more than 20 years ago. Since that first dinner, Avondale schools have hosted dozens of empty bowls nights and raised thousands of dollars to support the efforts of organizations focused on the fight against hunger. This year, proceeds from the Deerfield Elementary event will go to Avondale Blessings in a Backpack, a “neighbor-helping-neighbor” program designed to help meet the nutritional needs of children over the weekend when school meals are not available.

In addition to the fundraising aspect of the event, the Empty Bowls Dinner provides opportunity for a community to come together for a common goal. “The entire school has been making and painting the bowls,” said Suender. “This community art project is a symbol that big problems take many people, working together to solve” she added.

To register to attend the Empty Bowls Dinner at Deerfield Elementary contact the school at 248.537.6700.

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