PPP recently teamed up with Marjon Ceramics and PF Changs to raise funds for UMOM New Day Centers, the largest homeless shelter for families in Arizona. All PreK classes created clay soup bowls and once the bowls were glazed and fired, the children shared a 500-calorie lunch with their families. This simple meal of noodles represented the typical amount of calories a child living in poverty would receive in one day.

In 2011, approximately 3,832 families in Arizona experienced homelessness. The average age of a child in a homeless family is seven years old and 44% of homeless children in Arizona are under the age of five. Our Preschoolers sold their bowls for donations and raised a total $1,600 for UMOM. Channel 12 News covered the event and aired the story on their evening news. Click here to view the wonderful story of "Empty Bowls".