Dear Editor:

Did you know that 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year, and of these 23 percent are children? In fact, 1 in 50 children are homeless in America at any given time. It may seem difficult enough to wrap our minds around these staggering statistics, much less take action and do something that can change them.

But there is a way to help, and our children are leading the charge in Hoboken.

Students at All Saints Episcopal Day School and Hoboken Charter School have been working hard to organize their annual hunger and homelessness relief awareness day, Empty Bowls, which will take place next Saturday, May 7. That morning All Saints will host a fundraising breakfast at the school (707 Washington St.) and collect toiletries for the homeless at local supermarkets; in the afternoon, Hoboken Charter School students will host a luncheon at The Hoboken Shelter (300 Bloomfield St.) and collect canned and dry goods at local stores.

The children have been learning about hunger and homelessness on the global, national, and local level in their classrooms. The May 7 Empty Bowls events are especially significant because the money raised will be devoted exclusively to three Hoboken charities. Our mile square community is fortunate to have these agencies that offer much-needed assistance for our homeless and hungry neighbors: The Hoboken Shelter provides meals, shelter, and important services for the homeless; In Jesus’ Name Food Pantry receives about 200 visits per month from low-income families and single mothers with children; and St. Matthew’s Lunchtime ministry provides hot, nutritious meals for the hungry, serving more than 60 guests every day from Monday-Thursday.

Over the last decade, students have raised over $100,000 for hunger relief in Hoboken through the Empty Bowls program. And just as importantly, kids are learning that they can enact meaningful change in their community through service. What a powerful lesson to carry throughout their lives!

Please consider supporting the Empty Bowls program next Saturday by joining students for the fundraising breakfast or luncheon, donating items to the toiletries and food drives at local supermarkets, or making a contribution to one of our Hoboken charities.

Let’s continue to encourage our kids in this service project that means so much to our Hoboken community.

Priti Gress

All Saints Episcopal Day School parent