By Ashlyn Miller
Round Table reporter
Imagine being in a home where instead of a pantry full of food, there is barely enough to get by or maybe none at all .This is reality for around 11,200 people in Frederick County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
For the last 20 years, schools across Frederick County have been raising awareness for students facing hunger through the Empty Bowls Banquet. On March 20, Middletown will be hosting the event in the cafeteria.
“This is not only to support students in Frederick County, but across the nation as well,” said Robert Beavan, teacher and transition coordinator at MHS.
Beavan has been working with the local organization Middletown Valley People Helping People (MVPHP) to set up the event.
“MVPHP has really been the main force in helping to put on the banquet,” said Beavan, “They contacted me to discuss having this partnership, especially since it is the 20th anniversary of the event.”
The organization plans to split the proceeds from the event, keeping part for its funding and outreach and giving the rest to the Middletown Food Bank.
At the banquet, attendees will be able to enjoy catering by Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Zoe Carson, manager of the cases of FCPS students who are homeless, will be a guest speaker and the MHS chorus is scheduled to give a short performance.
The art classes also do something special every year to leave their mark on the event.
“Every year my classes create about 300-350 ceramic bowls for the banquet,” said Karey Mattingly, art teacher at MHS. The bowls are handed out as a gift to those who are attending the event.
Mattingly said there may be something else people can look forward to seeing that evening. “This is my ninth year helping at the event, and in the past some of my students have been [there] giving wheel demonstrations. We are thinking about bringing that back for this year,” she said.
However, what is truly amazing about the event is how many MHS groups it encompasses. Beavan said students from the MHS clubs National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes help with the set-up and tear-down at the event.
“Part of my responsibility as transition coordinator is to bring groups together, and I feel that is what this event does,” said Beavan.
For students interested in attending the event, there is an official announcement on the MHS website. The admission price is $13 for adults and $6 for students 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased during the day from Jim Zimmer or Beavan.
