Community Service in the Mups (2nd/3rd)

In the weeks leading up to winter break, the Mups embarked on a community service project centered around compassion, empathy and active contribution to our own local community. The journey began with discussions about wants versus needs, with the class delving into impactful books such as Tight Times by Barbara Shook Hazen, Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, and Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting. The realization that some people in their community might lack basic necessities during the harsh winter months prompted the students to explore ways they could make a positive difference.

Through their exploration, the class discovered various local initiatives such as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Community Refrigerators, clothing drives, and Stone Soup Cafe in Greenfield. It was during this research that they were introduced to the Empty Bowls movement, a grassroots effort by artists and craftspeople worldwide to raise funds for food-related charities. The movement, symbolized by bowls, serves as a reminder of global hunger, and communities often organize events or create and sell bowls to support those in need.

Excitement filled the classroom as the students realized the potential impact they could have by incorporating the Empty Bowls concept into their ongoing pottery work. Over the following weeks, the class collaborated to design and create 33 unique bowls. The culmination of their efforts will be a sale within the Center School community, with all proceeds pledged to benefit Stone Soup Cafe, a local organization working to address hunger. This community service project beautifully aligns with the students' engagement in pottery, creating a meaningful and tangible connection between their artistic endeavors and their desire to contribute positively to the community.