During the 2014-15 school year, members of the PTO collaborating with staff and students have organized and implemented an Empty Bowls community service project at Westbrook Middle School.  Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger and was created by The Imagine Render Group. The basic premise is simple: Potters and other craftspeople, educators and others work with the community to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised is donated to an organization working to end hunger and food insecurity.

Over 350 bowls were glazed by hundreds of parents, neighbors, students, and staff from the Westbrook community.  A culminating event took place on January 29 with over 230 members of the community in attendance.  Money raised from the event was given to two local charities – Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries, and End Hunger Connecticut.

On February 26, Westbrook Middle School students from all grade levels who volunteered for the event helped WMS principal Cori DiMaggio to present a check for $1,500 to Patty Dowling, Executive Director of Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries.

Thanks to all who contributed to the Empty Bowls project - truly an amazing effort!

For more information about these sessions and the project go to the WMS PTO Empty Bowls blog at http://wmsemptybowls.westbrookctschools.org/.

(Photo by Liz Egan)

On February 26, Westbrook Middle School students from all grade levels helped WMS principal Cori DiMaggio present a check for $1500 to Patty Dowling, Executive Director of Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries. The money was raised from the school’s five-month long community service activity, The Empty Bowls Project, spearheaded by the WMS PTO Climate Committee.