GALLERY: Fieldstone Students, Teachers Get Bowled Over

Friends and family of first and fourth-graders flocked to the school's gymnasium Tuesday, March 27 for the school's second annual Empty Bowls celebration and fundraiser.

It was a night where art met comfort food. The evening featured dozens of bowls created by first and fourth-graders in Trina Vennemann's art classes, plus a serving of soup (in cups, not the actual bowls) for the night's patrons.

"It was something we were approached to do first in 2011, and we continued it this year with Miss Vennemann's classes. It's a great learning experience for our kids, and a chance for us to do some good, locally," said Jeanette Aanerud, principal at Fieldstone.

The bowls–which are colorful pottery created either by wheel (fourth grade) or mold (first grade)–are essentially "sold" back to family and friends for a suggested donation of $5.

All of the money raised is given to the Hanover Food Shelf. Between the last two events, the school has raised about $3,000.

"It's a way to share with the kids, and a learning experience for them, beyond the art," Vennemann, who is in her first year at Fieldstone, said. "We remind them that some kids' bowls are empty when dinner time or lunch time comes around, and they're very fortunate for all that they have."

The night featured small row of "celebrity" bowls, or bowls cast by teachers and administrators the kids might recognize, including Principal Aanerud. There was also a table of bowls made by students, donated by teacher David Jorgenson.

"It's become a pretty big success, and something we're going to look forward to as long as we're able to do it," Aanerud said. "It's really a fun night."