February 9, 2007

“Feeding the Hungry: Empty Bowl Project a Success at BMR”
First Fundraiser Benefits Local Food Pantry 

BLACKSTONE… .BMR High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society sponsored a successful “Empty Bowls Project” fundraiser yesterday. The school’s cafeteria was transformed into a “soup kitchen” in keeping with the concept of the national initiative to combat hunger. Over 230 attendees had a choice of two soups, bread, beverage and dessert at the first ever event. After the dinner, over 20 soup bowls that had been created by honor society members under the supervision of BMR art teacher William Marrocco were raffled. All proceeds from the event and raffle will be presented to the Blackstone-Millville Food Pantry.

The ‘Empty Bowl Project’ is a national program to combat hunger that was first started in 1990 in Michigan when a high school art teacher lent his expertise to help his students raise funds for a food drive. What resulted was a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fund raising meal. Since then, the concept has been duplicated in countless high schools throughout the nation.

At each local event, there are variations which at BMR featured interdepartmental cooperation. In addition to the art department, there were selections offered by members of the school chorus under the direction of Russell Arnold, accompanied by Hartnett Middle School vice principal John Staples and senior class member Jeff Bielat. A brass quintet played several selections with Todd Shafer of the Music Department and director Ronald Bibeault. The meal itself was prepared under the direction of Consumer Science teacher Jeanne Desjardins and her students. NHS advisor and English Department chair Mark Campopiano organized the overall event with assistance from NHS members.

Blackstone-Millville Regional High School was established in 1970. It consists of students from the towns of Blackstone and Millville, is located at 175 Lincoln Street in Blackstone, Massachusetts and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges.

For additional information on the “Empty Bowls Project,” see www.emptybowls.net .