24 Years of Giving: CDH’s Empty Bowls Earns National Recognition

At the National Catholic Education Association Convention, held in Minneapolis from April 7–9, representatives from Heifer International presented Cretin-Derham Hall with a plaque recognizing 24 years of its Empty Bowls program.

Peter Gleich, who leads the initiative, attended the event alongside Mona Passman and members of the Empty Bowls student leadership team to accept the award.

Over the past 24-25 years, CDH’s Empty Bowls program has raised more than $175,000 in support of Heifer International - an achievement that places the school among the most impactful student-led fundraisers in the country. Jen Girten, Ed.D., Manager of Education Program Development at Heifer, noted that this total makes CDH the top fundraising K-12 school in the United States. Using Heifer’s standard multiplier, she added, the impact is equivalent to “over a quarter of a million chickens,” calling it “kind of a fun visual to imagine a bunch of fuzzy little chicks peeping and bumping around!”

Founded in 1944, Heifer International has worked with more than 52 million people worldwide to end hunger and poverty sustainably while caring for the Earth. Today, the organization operates in 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, supporting farmers and food producers in building stable, income-generating livelihoods. CDH’s Empty Bowls program, now approaching a quarter-century, has been active for nearly one-third of Heifer’s history.

Girten also highlighted how the program reflects Heifer’s core value of “Passing on the Gift,” in which families who receive livestock or resources commit to sharing both what they’ve received and the knowledge they’ve gained with others, creating a ripple effect of impact. She emphasized that CDH’s program mirrors this model in a meaningful way:

“In many ways, the Empty Bowls project reflects this principle. Each year, as students share their time and talents for the purpose of ending hunger, they also pass on the purpose and leadership of this impactful campus tradition. That creates a ripple effect of its own—students stepping up to make a real, sustainable difference in global hunger and poverty!”

She also praised the leadership behind the initiative, noting that “Mr. Gleich’s mentorship and the student committee’s leadership is inspiring and reflective of the spirit of Heifer’s "Passing on the Gift."

Girten expressing gratitude for CDH’s long-standing partnership, saying “We are so humbled and grateful for the longstanding support of our mission and work. I look forward to meeting Mr. Gleich and a few of your students this week to thank them in person!”

Read about CDH’s latest Empty Bowls event, held on February 4, 2026, and view photos from the day.