Woodland Elementary West Leads Effort to Raise Awareness of Hunger, the Arts

Local potters, businesses and schools are coming together from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 at the Woodland Elementary West School cafeteria for the 4th Annual Empty Bowls food drive and fundraiser to benefit the Warren Township Food Pantry.

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots organization created to fight hunger and raise hunger awareness in local communities. Elementary West third grade students crafted pots of clay as a reminder of homes with empty bowls in their communities, and local potters from College of Lake County, Warren Township High School, and Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Stirling Hall Art Center have worked together to create hundreds of ceramic bowls to sell that day for a donation to benefit the Warren Township Food Pantry.

"The project benefits the Woodland community by increasing hunger awareness and empathy for those who are less fortunate, by bringing community groups together for an important cause, by demonstrating the importance of learning in the arts, and by making the arts relevant to the children and the broader community," said Marion Berman, a Woodland Elementary West art teacher who spearheads the effort.

In exchange for a non-perishable food donation, families are invited to participate in a light dinner of soup and bread donated by Arbor Management, the Woodland food service provider, and Panera Bread.

Last year, about 300 people attended the event at Woodland Elementary West which resulted in the Warren Township Food Pantry receiving more than $2,000 as well as enough food to fill a school bus.

Official sponsors of the event are Lake Forest Parks and Recreation, Stirling Hall Art Center, College of Lake County, Warren Township High School, Woodland PTA, Panera, Sam's Club, Target and Mariano's.

For additional information, please contact Marion Berman at (847) 984-8900.