Sayville Students' Empty Bowls Fundraiser a Success Once Again

Superstorm Sandy could not sweep aside the efforts of the Sayville High School Art Club to hold the Fifth Annual “Empty Bowls” soup/salad dinner fundraising—in recognition of National Hunger Awareness Month this past October.

Rescheduled several weeks after originally planned, the art-department sponsored event, under the direction of John Verschure, Debbie Urso, and Evan Hammer, and in conjunction with the Sayville School Employees Charitable Foundation, was a feast of tossed greens, warm rolls, and all-you-can-eat homemade soups, thanks to the great generosity of Sayville faculty, students, families, and such local merchants as Tom's Deli, Idle Hour Deli, Crickets, and Wenner Bread.

In addition, for the price of a $10 admission ticket, attendees not only enjoyed a soup/salad dinner, but were able to select a one-of-a-kind handmade ceramic bowl created by Sayville High School Art students and teachers.

“John Verschure did an excellent job organizing and running the event,” Art Department Chairperson Debbie Urso said. “This year, due to Hurricane Sandy, several more staff members pitched in to make soup.”

As Mrs. Urso explained, some faculty members have annually contributed delicious recipes to the worthy cause. However, many local merchants, who also had donated food in the past, were either directly affected by the storm or were already making donations to the local organizations serving the displaced families. Mrs. Urso was pleased that “everyone in the art department, including the teachers at the elementary level pitched in with the food.” Of course, this Empty Bowls event “cannot run without the student volunteers each year. They were a tremendous help!”

The money raised helped many within our Sayville community. Proceeds from this event, which totaled $900 this year, benefitted both the Greater Sayville Food Pantry and local school community members victimized by Superstorm Sandy.