Jen Hackenberg, kindergarten teacher at Norton Elementary School, and art teacher Judson Stemaly, hold the ceremonial check presented to Daisy Wagner ((left) of the Emergency Care Network food site in Three Rivers. The check reflects funds raised through this year's Empty Bowls Soup Supper.
The success of the 15th annual Empty Bowls Soup Supper at Three Rivers High School on February 4th was evident during the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education meeting.
The opening part of the meeting featured the presentation of a ceremonial check for $3,434.17 to Daisy Wagner, manager of the Emergency Care Network (ECN) food site in Three Rivers.
The money was raised through the project in which handmade bowls created and donated by all 1st, 3rd and 5th graders in Three Rivers were on display and available for purchase for a donation. All four elementary schools in the Three Rivers Community Schools – Andrews, Hoppin, Norton and Park – participated, along with Immaculate Conception School.
In reporting on the project, Judson Stemaly, an art teacher, said it was “another great year for Empty Bowls.” He said, “I was really trying to push hard with the kids what this is all about and what you’re really trying to do. This year I had the wrinkle – It’s tough out there, but now is when people bond together and have to help each other and if we don’t , then nothing’s going to get any better, nothing’s going to rebound, so it was good to see the community helping each other out the way it did.” (Judson_Stemaly audio clip – 1:22)
New this year was a ‘silent auction’ of bowls created by members of the school staff, something Stemaly said was “a huge hit.”
Wagner, who has managed the Three Rivers food site for 22 years, accepted the check and said, “I still find it hard to believe that the worse the economy gets, the more the people who can give do give. Even though things look bad, and our numbers continue to grow, the people of this community are such a caring community and Empty Bowls is just one example of that.”
Wagner said it’s still her wish that sometime in her lifetime “there won’t be a need for Emergency Care Network food sites. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but I would still like to see it. God bless anybody what helped. Thank you very much.” (Daisy_Wagner audio clip – :59)
