SUMMIT, NJ - "Empty Bowls” is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger.  It was created by The Imagine Render Group in response to reports that our nation’s food banks could soon be overwhelmed by demand.  Statistics show that 1 out of 8 Americans struggle with food insecurity every day.  Millions of people have lost their jobs during the most recent recession, and the number of food stamp recipients has increased dramatically.

The Summit Educational Foundation (SEF) provided a grant for Summit High School (SHS) students to participate in an Empty Bowls project.  Art teachers Kelly Coyle and Meghan Scozzari originated and organized the project.  Art classes created handcrafted ceramic bowls using clay and glazes paid for by SEF.  The Foods classes, along with other teachers and students, made soup and bread.  A dinner was held where, in exchange for a cash donation, guests were fed the soup and bread and were asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.  Student performers provided entertainment.  In total, about 35-40 people came to eat soup and bread and listen to music.  More than $600 was raised was donated to Bridges Outreach to feed the hungry at shelters in Newark, Irvington and New York City.

Coyle summarized the event stating, “The best part about this project was that it spread awareness that there are many people in the world who have no food, or empty bowls, on a regular basis. Additionally, it raised money to help hunger in our community.”  Coyle expects to hold another Empty Bowls project this Spring.

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