On Wednesday, February 5th, the Cretin-Derham Hall student body experienced Empty Bowls. In this student-led event, you could buy a bowl of soup and a piece of bread for $4. Where all of the proceeds and donations made were sent to Heifer International. For those who may not know, Heifer International is an organization working to end hunger and poverty around the world by providing livestock and training to struggling communities. This was the club’s twenty second year putting the Empty Bowls event on. In 2025, Empty Bowls is a student-led club along with teacher Mr. Gleich who oversees the student volunteer work. Students have been working hard all year for empty bowls.
Once a week the club meets for thirty minutes during flex time to discuss what they need to get done for the week, and what they need to prepare for the day of the event. Students make phone calls to soup donors, pick up donated silent auction items, and make sure they have enough supplies for the day of the event. Students also decorate the Auxiliary Gym and have to get there at 7:30am on the day of the event to prepare. During Flex 1, Juniors and Seniors were invited to Empty Bowls during their lunch, and the Freshman and Sophomore class were invited to go during their lunch, Flex 2.
“I love the fact that this event brings alumni, students and faculty together!” Said Mr. Gleich. There were so many sponsors this year from sole donors, to soup donations, to silent auction items.
The head student leader of the club, Hadley Beyerlein, helped encourage students to make the tough phone calls, and directed most of the decorating process. Overall, Empty Bowls was seen as a success by the club this year bringing in over $6,000 for Heifer International.
