On February 26, students from The Harbor School, a special needs school in Eatontown, came into the Holiday Express warehouse to paint bowls for the “Empty Bowl Project” to benefit the JBJ (John Bon Jovi) Soul Kitchen. Mil Wexler Kobrinski, the artist who created the bowls, led the project. Students were assisted by Travelers and Holiday Express volunteers.
The Empty Bowl project is a program to help fight hunger. The bowls will be for sale at the JBJ Soul Kitchen in Toms River and Red Bank. Students and volunteers also packed Holiday Express gift bags that included every day essential items such as blankets, gloves, and toiletries, which will be given out at the JBJ Foundation and PBC (Pilgrim Baptist Church) Hope and Comfort Warming Center in Red Bank.
The day was made possible by a grant provided by Travelers, an insurance company that has sponsored Holiday Express events for more than a decade. Travelers supports organizations that improve academic and career success, develop thriving neighborhoods and create culturally enriched communities.
Holiday Express is a non-profit organization that delivers music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year. For more information please visit www.holidayexpress.org.
The JBJ Soul Foundation has worked to break the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness through developing partnerships, creating programs and providing grant funding to support innovative community benefit organizations.
Cover Photo: Pictured from left to Right: Lauren Brajer of JBJ Soul Foundation, Artist, Mil Wexler Kobrinski, Mary Jo Mongaliri, Harbor School art teacher, Neil McDevitt of Travelers Insurance and Lorrie Klaric of Holiday Express.