DePaolo Students Team Up to Fight Hunger

Students at DePaolo Middle School joined in the fight against hunger this week, taking their skills as artists and cooks and applying them to raise money for Southington Bread-4-Life.

As part of an effort to raise money for those in need, students in the Unified Arts and Family Consumer Science programs joined forces in taking part in the "Empty Bowls" project, an initiative in which students created clay bowls and soup mix that were sold during the spring concert series last week.

Students sold a total of 75 bowls and raised $375 which will be given to Brad-4-Life, said Jennifer Bartlett, family and consumer science teacher.

"In the Unified Arts program, part of our goal is to incorporate 21st century skills into everyday life," Barlett said. "In working with Laura Boutilier, we learned about 'Empty Bowls' and felt it was a great way to teach students to use their skills to give back in the community."

The bowls were created by 30 students in Art Club over a three-month period with the help of art teachers Leah Godcher and Rebecca Dow, Barlett said. Students in Bartlett's class and Antoinette Carey's classes then measured ingredients to provide a simple soup with the bowl.

DePaolo Assistant Principal Chris Palmieri said the project was not only rewarding for the students, but was a hit among parents and teachers.

"I received emails and phone calls from parents to just tell me they thought this was an amazing idea and would like to see more projects like this," Palmieri said.