Empty Bowls fundraiser is April 28

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By Tim Nolan, High School Reporter
Imagine Render is a nonprofit organization that strives to “create positive and lasting change through the arts, education and projects that build community.” Its main project is Empty Bowls. Empty Bowls has become an international effort to raise funds and awareness towards the fight against hunger. This spring will be the 27th edition of the event, and its outreach has continued to spread each year. Seven years ago, that outreach extended to Granby Memorial High School.
Empty Bowls at GMHS began as an independent project run exclusively by the high school students. The event was a way for students to showcase their artistic talents while supporting the hungry of the community. In more recent editions, students have been given the opportunity to share their musical talents as well. All proceeds from the event are donated to the Granby Food Bank. The Hartland Food Bank and Waste Not, Want Not Community Kitchen have received contributions in the past as well.
Over time the event has become the lead annual service project of the school’s National Honor Society (NHS) chapter. Members are tasked with supplying everything but tables and a dining space. This includes tableware, soup, bread and dessert. They reach out to local restaurants and businesses in order to make it happen.
This year, restaurants from Southwick, Granby and Simsbury have graciously answered the request to support participants that normally numbers around 300. The event itself will take place on April 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Commons, the GMHS cafeteria. Admission is $15 if you would like to purchase a bowl, and $8 without. The intention of the “empty bowl” is to remind us that there are people in our community that literally have an empty bowl or plate. Regardless of what you choose, admission will grant you unlimited soup, dessert, and bread. Pottery and other artwork, courtesy of local artists, will be auctioned off throughout the evening. Proceeds from auction will be used towards the visual arts student scholarship and the NHS student scholarships. The event will also include live music performed by GMHS students.