‘Empty Bowls’ to Feed the Hungry

Students in the National Art Honor Society at are utilizing students’ ceramics talents to help feed hungry families in the Falls area.

With guidance of Art Honor students, children from all ages in the district crafted 500 soup bowls, which they will sell during the Empty Bowls fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m.  Friday in the MFHS cafeteria before the boys varsity basketball game against Sussex Hamilton.

The event itself is simple, but all the funds from the event will be donated to the Menomonee Falls Area Food Pantry. A basic dinner of soup, bread, water, and a ceramic bowl will be served for a $10 donation. The bowl serves as a reminder that people are living in hunger with empty bowls around the world.

“I found out about the cause over five years ago in an art trade magazine while I was teaching over at North Middle School,” said MFHS Art Department Director Terra Chmielewski. “It was always something that I thought was really cool, and it helped artists give back to the community.”

The event features different soups donated by Bakers Square, bread donated by Pepperidge Farm and , and paper products donated by . Each handcrafted keepsake bowl is unique from the other.

Chmielewski said this is the first time the Art Honor Society has organized this event at MFHS, which is affiliated with the Empty Bowls international project to fight hunger. In the past, students created bowls for an Empty Bowls event that took place at the Milwaukee Area Technical College extension in Oak Creek.

“The kids are very excited the event,” Chmielewski said. “It’s been great to see how the students have gotten behind the project and helped develop it.”

The Empty Bowls project not only sponsors a good cause, it’s also a great experience in community building for the students. MFHS senior Kelsey Traindel has been a member of the Art Honor Society since it was founded at the school in 2011. She’s helped oversee the project since kids started making bowls back in September.

“It all started as an idea and it’s all coming together. I really appreciate how art can impact so many people in the community,” Traindel said. “I’ve learned to communicate more effectively with people while working on this project as well.”

Tickets will be available the night of the event at the cafeteria entrance.  Questions can be directed to, Terra Chmielewski at 262-946-2046 or chmiter@sdmf.k12.wi.us.