‘Empty Bowls, Full Hearts’ Fundraiser Brings Community Together

"Empty Bowls, Full Hearts," scheduled this year for Thursday evening March 20, is a unique opportunity to enjoy a delicious bowl of soup, take home a colorful handmade ceramic bowl, and at the same time help address local food insecurity. 

 The event is Monomoy Regional High School's annual fundraiser for the Family Table Collaborative of Cape Cod. Coordinating and overseeing the event are seniors Fiona Moore and Ashley Anderson, with Chloe Thompson and Hailey Tamasco reaching out to the community for donations. 

 According to Cheri Armstrong, career education coordinator at the school, attendees will also "enjoy fabulous music by performers from Monomoy Regional High and Middle Schools." Entertainment will be provided by the award-winning high school jazz band, fresh from taking second place at the Senior District Jazz Festival; the middle school chorus; and the high school performing arts department singing selections from the high school’s upcoming production of “Mamma Mia.”

 The Family Table Collaborative (FTC) distributes prepared meals directly to individuals and families. Created in March 2020 during the pandemic and continuing today, FTC serves families and seniors who do not have access to sufficient food or food of an adequate quality to meet their basic needs.

More than 185,000 meals, soups, and other food items have been prepared and distributed, according to Armstrong. 

 Placemats made by Harwich and Chatham elementary school students, under the direction of Fran Jorgensen and Cara Kidd, will add fun color to the event, and there will be a raffle with "fabulous prizes facilitated by volunteers from the FTC," according to Armstrong. 

 Involvement with the FTC started two years ago at Monomoy, when a fundraiser was established as an entrepreneurial internship for seniors. "We wanted students to experience what it might be like to be an entrepreneur," Armstrong said. 

 "When the students evaluated the initial effort, they decided their biggest mistake in running the fundraiser was the overhead cost." So this year Monomoy made a strong effort to enlist local business support and expanded the program to include eighth graders, mentored by seniors. 

 As a result, Armstrong said, because of local businesses defraying overhead costs, all proceeds from the event, expected to be about $5,000, will go to FTC. Major contributors include Captain Parker's Pub, Pelham Bakery on the Rise, Pain D'Avignon, BJs Wholesale and Dunkin’. 

 Some of the soup choices — which include gluten free as well as vegan options — include chicken soup, white bean soup, turkey chili and clam chowder, the latter donated by Captain Parker’s. And never fear, dessert is included in the form of delicious rolls from Pelham on the Rise, cookies from Pain D'Avignon and coffee from Dunkin’.

 Each attendee will receive personal service from one of the 55 student volunteers who will escort them to a seat, help them through the line and carry their tray. "It's so incredible how many students volunteer for this event," Armstrong said. "They get a wonderful opportunity to understand civic engagement."

 Students in grades eight and 11 help package meals at FTC every Thursday, Armstrong said, learning to become engaged citizens and critical thinkers. During the recent school vacation, four students also spent their time off volunteering there. 

 Faculty involved, in addition to Armstrong, includes art teachers Jeremiah Nickerson and Mike Newby and culinary teacher Caroline Freitas. 

 The event is held in the Monomoy High School school cafeteria and there are two seatings, one at 5 p.m. and the other at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are available online and at the door at $15 for soup and a ceramic bowl; $10 for ceramic bowls only; $8 for soup only; $25 for a soup meal for families of four or more; and $5 for a soup meal for children.

Armstrong encourages buying tickets in advance to help with the planning. "It's an amazing community event...a small town making a difference, sharing a meal and providing for our neighbors."