Rockdale Citizen

Special Photo Davis Middle School sixth-grade students, from left, Courtnee Island, Destini Harris, Victoria Caldwell and Soleil St. Louis paint bowls for the Empty Bowls dinner. It is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the school.

CONYERS -- Having a simple bowl of soup will make a big difference in the community.

General Ray Davis Middle School will hold its first Empty Bowls dinner this week to raise money for the local food bank.

Empty Bowls is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the school's cafe.

For $5 per adult and $3 per child, guests will get a meal of soup, salad, bread and dessert.

"We want to raise about $1,000 for the Rockdale Emergency Relief Fund and Food Pantry," said Katy King, DMS art teacher and an event organizer.

Guests will be able to take home a ceramic bowl handmade by DMS students as a reminder of those who have empty bowls in the community, King said.

She said it has given her students the opportunity to use their art to help others in need.

The school's art club and student council also will hold a canned food drive at the event to collect nonperishable food items to be donated to the fund.

"This is truly a community event to help the people in our community who are in need," King said. "We want the children to understand that if we come together as a community, we can create positive change."

Tickets can be purchased in advance from the school's main office or bought the evening of the event.