Empty Bowls fund raiser a success

Warwick students raise $20,000 as they learn about service in the local fight against hunger Warwick - In the true spirit of community, several hundred people came together at the Warwick Valley High School on April 2 to fight hunger in Warwick. Warwick Valley High School seniors Taylor Pierce, Sam Schenkman and Marc-Anthony Serrano helped coordinate the Empty Bowls fund raiser on behalf of the high school, thus establishing an annual fund raiser for the Backpack Snack Attack Program and Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry. This was the second event conducted by the high school to support the Backpack Snack Attack Program, which provides food to students who attend Warwick, Greenwood Lake and Florida schools and their families. In September students returned to school with their own backpacks filled with supplies for program recipients. 'Community clay bowl’ During the Empty Bowls presentation, Sugar Loaf potter Ray Boswell of Bostree Gallery, along with Warwick potter Deb Bernstein and other potters, sat behind their pottery wheels on the stage and together created a “community clay” bowl. As audience members watched the pot take shape, Warwick musician Tina Ross performed songs with student vocalists Amanda Coyne, Allie Dethmers and Kayla Jardine. And when the huge bowl was complete, Warwick artist Ron Gee added the final artistic touch. Following the presentation, attendees entered the cafeterias where they were greeted by the sight of hundreds of hand-thrown soup bowls created and donated by local potters. Each person selected a favorite in which to eat soup and then to take home as a remembrance of the event and the cause. Contributions from students and staff Chef Erik Johansen of the Iron Forge Inn restaurant in Warwick worked with five Warwick Valley High School/BOCES culinary students to prepare and serve five gourmet soups using many local ingredients. Several types of fresh bread were donated by Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, Milford, N.J. (formerly of Vernon, N.J.) and Rock Hill Bakehouse, Gansevoort and a variety of cookies were donated by Lisa’s Cookie Shop and Jean-Claude’s Patisserie & Dessert Cafe of Warwick and the Bellvale Bruderhof Community. All proceeds will benefit two local organizations that provide food for an increasing number of families. No costs associated with Empty Bowls were paid for with event proceeds and no funding was provided by the Warwick Valley School District. In addition to student chefs, Empty Bowls posters were designed by Art Club members under the direction of art teacher Dana Schildkraut and communications students are producing a video about the event. During the presentation and meal, attendees were entertained by Warwick High School and Middle School student musicians, led by music teachers Keely Gould Blaikner and Elissa Jones-Leonard. Student volunteers from service clubs assisted with setup, serving and clean up. This article was prepared by Louise Hutchison.

The particulars
The $20,000 fund-raising goal for the Empty Bowls event has been reached, thanks to corporate sponsor ShopRite/Wakefern Food Corp.; major donors Glenn P. and Susan D. Dickes, Dr. Ray and Val Bryant, and the Bellvale Community; and donors Eisenbach & Ruhnke Engineering; Girvin & Ferlazzo, Attorneys at Law, and Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Funeral Home, along with generous community support.
The Backpack Snack Attack weekend meals program, sponsored by the Warwick Reformed Church, provides food in backpacks for needy elementary school children in Warwick, Florida, Pine Island and Greenwood Lake to eat at home on weekends when school meals are not available. Funds from this event will allow expansion of the program to include the summer months.
The Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry is housed at the Warwick United Methodist Church and maintains a supply of donated non-perishable food, baby supplies, toiletries and paper products for those in need.
Those who purchased a donation ticket and those who were unable to attend but wish to support the effort may choose from a wide selection of hand-thrown bowls displayed at the Warwick Valley School District Office (next to the Middle School). Donations continue to be accepted, and should be sent to Empty Bowls, c/o L. Hutchison, WVCSD, P.O. Box 595, Warwick, NY 10990.
For more information and photos of the event, go to www.warwickvalleyschools.com and click on “Empty Bowls” at left.