Handmade bowls with cozies. Photo courtesy of Mt. Blue High School

FARMINGTON — Mt. Blue High School will host a community meal from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, in the MBC food court at 129 Seamon Road.

The purpose of the meal is to bring about awareness of food insecurity in the area and to use the power of the arts to make connections and give back to the community, according to a news release from the school.

Students, staff and community members of all ages worked together to create more than 200 ceramic bowls of differing shapes, sizes and colors. Attendees can make a donation, select a bowl, then dine on a variety of soups, rolls and desserts made by staff and the school’s Foster Tech Culinary students. This meal is a way for the Mt. Blue Campus to give back to the 10 communities.

All funds raised will be donated to fight food insecurity in area towns. Funds will be distributed through the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area’s Pantry Project.

After the meal, diners can take their Empty Bowl home as a reminder that there are always empty bowls in area communities and the world.

According to the release, in order to create a special evening for everyone, students from the school’s service organizations will assist at the dinner and musicians will provide music during the meal. Staff and community quilters have also created soup bowl cozies in a variety of colors and sizes. These cozies keep hands cool and the soup warm and will be available to those who are interested for an additional donation.

Empty Bowls began in 1990 and has spread across the country and the world as a local way to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger. The idea to present an Empty Bowls event at Mt. Blue High School began last summer at the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative’s summer retreat for arts teacher leaders and teaching artists. MALI is committed to the development of teacher leaders to ensure deep understanding and meaningful implementation of high quality teaching, learning, and assessment in the arts.

For more information, email Pam Chernesky, MBHS Art, at pchernesky@mtbluersd.org.