PEQUANNOCK TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITY TO COMBAT HUNGER

By Ed Rumley

After enjoying two large cups brimming with broccoli-cheddar soup, Packanack Lake resident Joe Coursault commented, “I came here tonight because the soup was so good last year. Not only that, I wanted to support the cause to fight hunger.” The above comments mirrored the perspective of one and all that attended the Empty Bowls Dinner, held Wednesday, February 24, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Pequannock Township High School. The annual event, held in the school’s lunchroom, featured ceramic bowls created by PTHS students and painted by 5th graders from the town’s Stephen J. Gerace Elementary School (SJG). Co-sponsored by the PTHS Art Department and the Women’s Hands in Mission, proceeds from purchase of the bowls were donated to Grains of Hope. The

organization provides meals for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and families in Haiti. Coursault, a semi-retired professional, and his wife Denise, as well as dozens of community and area residents and families, enjoyed the coffee-house like atmosphere, complete with live music. The attractive, brightly painted bowls were on display for choosing upon entrance. Denise said she was happy, “I didn’t have to make dinner.” “I think everyone should do their part to feed the hungry,” Mrs. Coursalut continued. “I am so happy to participate. I also came last year and remember how nice it was.”

Three huge steel containers held the evening’s choice of cuisine-chicken noodle, broccoli-cheddar, and gluten free vegetable soup. Dinner rolls and croutons provided compliment. Service was provided by student volunteers. The Golden Panther senior duo of Billy Troast and Tanner Waters donned hair nets, Playtex gloves, and aprons to scoop up the tasty treat for participants. The pair said they were part of 10 students from the PTHS Spanish Honor Society to

volunteer. The school club is also involved in a number of other service projects throughout the school year. “Our group worked for the play in the fall,” Waters said. “We passed out programs and watched the doors.” “One of our members is going on a mission trip to Peru for Operation Smile,” Troast stated. “Our club is going to help her be able to go.” Troast said that Operation Smiles is an organization that helps children with cleft palates receive much needed medical attention and aid.

Pequannock Mayor Dave Kohle chatted with many in attendance and spoke in between enjoying several bowls of his piping hot supper. “This is a great cause,” the mayor stated. “This is great getting kids from the Spanish Honor Society and the Art Department to work together. The biggest thing is that the Community Food Bank here in Pequannock serves 71 families on a regular basis. The food tonight was donated by volunteers.”

Seniors Krishna Schroth and Zach Lopez passed out the bowls to all who entered. Schroth said that this was her first year to volunteer for the annual event. “This was great,” the 18-year old stated. Both 12th graders are looking forward to college in the fall. Schroth plans on majoring in fine arts to become an illustrator. Lopez will focus on biomedical engineering. “We made the bowls in our art class here at school, in the kiln,” Lopez said. “It was great to see that the elementary kids then painted the bowls.” As the last call for seconds went out, PTHS student Jessica Rhinesmith stood sentinel behind the vegetarian soup container. “This is a real cool event,” the 17-year old senior said. “I’m in the Spanish Honor Society. This is great that we got to take part.”

Pompton Plains’ residents, Ed Ryan and his wife Linda, came to support the cause.

“We have three children who graduated from here,” Mr. Ryan said. “I had two bowls of the chicken noodle soup. It was very good. I think this is a terrific cause.” Charley Western, a recent graduate of PTHS, provided pleasant musical background by singing and playing his acoustic guitar. “I played here last year with my friend Neil Hoogmeod,” Western said, who also added he was not related to John Wayne. “Tonight I played with a loop petal. A couple of the songs I played were, ‘Thinking Out Loud’, by Ed Sharon and ‘Love Yourself’, by Justin Bieber. Western’s repertoire also featured several tunes for which he composed both the lyrics and music.

SJG Art Teacher Courtney Mangarelli said that the painting of the bowls by her students afforded them an opportunity to not only create a work of art but to also give back to the community.

“Some of the bowls were painted by volunteers,” Mangarelli stated. “About 48 students in my two fifth grade classes also painted bowls. The paint used was a glaze specifically for pottery. The glazing took two class periods. Before that we decorated and designed the bowls. The students used a stamping technique with tools like clothes pins and toothpicks. They put on different on designs and imprints.” Groups and individuals who collaborated for the outreach were many. Jeanette Turner and the Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown provided the soup. Offie Blewitt donated the rolls. Supplies were given by the Pequannock Township Education Association. The PTHS Art Honor Society also participated. Indeed, happy patrons left not only with a shiny and durable empty bowl, but also with a sense of caring and comradery, complimented by full stomachs.