More than 100 children, parents, teachers and MSU students gathered at a Lansing elementary school on Wednesday, serving and sipping soup from handmade bowls.
Elementary students at the art-focused school crafted and decorated ceramic bowls for Pleasant View Elementary School's third annual Empty Bowls fundraising dinner.
The bowls cost $6 each, and dinner guests, many of which were parents, had the option to preorder the bowl made by their children.
"I already see benefits after three years of doing this," said Kelly Parsons, a teacher at the school. "The kids learn from giving a piece of their artwork the help someone else."
MSU students from the Honors College, Young Spartan Association, Circle K, and alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority also were volunteering at the event.
"I just like doing nice things when I have time for it," nursing junior Jessica Diver said. "It's nice to get out and get out of your element."
The elementary school students said they enjoyed the event as well.
"It helps people," third-graders Dasja Young and Jocelyn Murchison said in unison.
Parents said they enjoy the annual event as much as the students.
"It gets the children interested in helping other people," said Dierdra Henry, who came with son DeMarest Henry to the event. "They just enjoy it, they light up every year, and the soup is good, too."
DeMarest Henry, a fifth-grade student, made a bowl with a big blue star in the center. His mother said this is the fourth bowl she has purchased at the benefits.
Empty Bowls began in 1990, when a Michigan teacher was looking for a way to raise funds for a food drive. Donations for Pleasant View Elementary School's event were given by the school's PTA and local restaurants.
The proceeds from the event will be sent to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
"If kids start volunteering at a young age, they will continue to into adulthood," said Sharon Krinock, director of the food bank. "Last year, the event raised around $1,100."
The elementary school is one of five magnet schools in the Lansing School District which have a particular focus. The focus of Pleasant View is the arts - art, music, dance and theater.
