Many River Montessori Middle School students raise over $2,000 for Loaves and Fishes

DULUTH, Minn.– Each year, Many Rivers Montessori middle schoolers participate in their “Empty Bowl Fundraiser”.

The students spent months planning, organizing, creating bowls, and a menu.

Then, they host an event with food available, as well as bowls for purchase.

This year, the kids chose to donate proceeds to Loaves and Fishes, a nonprofit dedicated to helping out the community.

One of the volunteers with Loaves and Fishes said they already knew where to spend the money.

“We need a big fridge, because we like to distribute that food to folks who we know have apartments and rooms in the area, but they have to make that monthly decision, do they have enough money to pay rent or to buy food? And so, we try to get food to those folks as well,” said Peggy York-Jemse.

The middle schoolers got the opportunity to present the check Thursday.

And it’s safe to say, they were proud of the money raised.

“I was really proud of what we did. I think this is the most money we’ve ever raised for a charity, and I feel really honored that we can give that money to a charity that helps people that are in a place where they can’t help themselves,” said Asher Osterman, a 7th Grader at Many Rivers Montessori.

Overall, the students raised $2,719.

Loaves and Fishes owns two houses of hospitality in Duluth for individuals experiencing homelessness.