Many Rivers Montessori Middle Schoolers host Empty Bowl Fundraiser

DULUTH, Minn. — Students at Many Rivers Montessori Middle School held their annual “Empty Bowl” fundraiser.

Throughout the school year, the students created handmade bowls for their student-run Empty Bowl event. Each piece was thrown on the wheel, glazed, and fired at the school. The students also planned and ran the event themselves, from start to finish. Every purchase included a meal, with all proceeds going to Loaves & Fishes Emergency Housing.

“As students here at Many Rivers, we have our own microeconomy business we call Confluence. And after a couple of years, we kind of made money on a craft fair and some other events, and we decided it’s time to give back,” said Jessica Mohn-Jonsen, guide at Many Rivers Montessori Middle School.

For these kids, “Empty Bowl” is about more than learning to make pottery; it’s about giving back and making a real difference.

“I think it feels really good that I can kind of make a difference in the community, and I don’t know, just spend some time and help other people out,” said Nils Anderson, a student at Many Rivers Montessori Middle School.

On top of making a difference in the community, students say the event has taught them skills that go beyond the classroom, like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.