Teeland students keep bowls filled so others won't go hungry

More than 300 empty bowls lined a table at Teeland Middle School Tuesday afternoon, each symbolizing an empty bowl on someone's table, someone who can't afford to eat dinner. Students at the school are trying to change that, however.

Tuesday at Teeland Middle School, people stopped by and enjoyed a bowl of Ivar's Clam Chowder or another variety of soup, a cookie, some bread and a drink, all for $10. On the way out, they got to pick an empty pottery bowl to take home -- all of the bowls were made by students at Teeland and a class from Larson Elementary School as art projects.

"When you have the empty bowl, you realize there's a lot of other empty bowls out there," said Teeland art teacher Deb Myers. "It's supposed to remind people that others are going hungry."

The Empty Bowls program is an international one (see related story), and Tuesday marked the fifth time it has taken place in the Valley. Last year, due to a scheduling conflict, the event wasn't held, but Teeland revived it this year.

"We did it three times at Colony Middle and now twice here," said teacher Deb Buzdor, who along with Myers helps run the program.

In the past, the two teachers have tried to coordinate the event around a school event, such as a band concert, that brings people to the school. This year, they decided to host the event on Tuesday because it was parent-teacher conference day, and there was a constant stream of people coming in and out of the school.

Tuesday afternoon, Buzdor was busy making soup in the kitchen at Teeland Middle School, while students clad in Empty Bowls aprons made frequent stops to pick up orders of clam chowder, garden vegetable, chicken noodle or broccoli and cheese soup. Buzdor estimated she'd go through about 25 gallons of soup during the event.

For the young students, Empty Bowls was a chance to help others, and also an introduction to the restaurant business.

"It's fun because we're helping others and we're getting to do waitressing," said Breanna Maniaci. "Getting to wait on tables is fun."

But that does have some challenges.

"It's hard not spilling everything on the tray," admitted Jessica Clark.

While customers left with a full stomach and a new bowl, local food banks were the real benefactors. After expenses, there was $2,000 left, which is being donated to the Palmer Food Bank, for use at food banks around the Valley. It more than doubles the previous best of $800.

"We have to buy a lot of the supplies, but we have had great sponsors that have helped," Myers said. "We had one anonymous donor who gave $500 this year to help out. We're very appreciative of the sponsors and donors."