The Show Must Go On
One year and three months into the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC is continuing pivot and innovate ways to do things differently. Procedures put into place at the onset of the pandemic, continue to help ensure the safety of teams at the 430 food assistance programs that rely on Second Harvest for the food they provide, Food Bank staff, and neighbors in need of help. A tremendous outpouring of support from this community has allowed Second Harvest’s continued strong response to the heightened need for food assistance resulting from the pandemic.
Amid its work on the frontlines of food insecurity, Second Harvest was determined to celebrate with the people and organizations who make their mission and work possible at a reimagined 20th Anniversary Empty Bowls event. As event organizers explained it, “the show must go on so that we can continue to make sure every child, every senior, every neighbor has the food they need through these challenging times.”
Empty Bowls. Full Hearts.
Presented this year by Garner Foods and Truist, and reimagined as a drive thru affair, the important things remained the same at Second Harvest’s 20th Annual Empty Bowls – the faithful community of sponsors and friends; the important mission; beautiful, handcrafted pottery bowls; and a selection of delicious soups crafted by the culinary staff and students of Second Harvest’s Providence.
WXII 12’s Chief Meteorologist Lanie Pope, who graciously joined this year’s event as Chief Greeter and Storyteller, brought with her a day filled with sunshine, complemented by cool breezes.
Throughout the day, Event Chair Cathy Larmore and teams of cheerful volunteers prepped each guest bag with two pottery bowls, before handing them off to the lunch assembly stations. Guests pre-ordered their choice of soup (ready for reheating at home) when purchasing their tickets. As each guest pulled to the head of the drive through line, Providence students added the guest’s chosen soup flavor, cornbread, giant chocolate chip cookies, and more to the bag before handing it off to volunteer runners. A DJ kept the dance tunes coming, providing entertainment for guests and event staff alike. Claudette Weston, Honorary Chair and Chief Cheerleader for this year’s event, helped to keep everyone’s energy high through to the last guest with her words of encouragement and joie de vivre.
This year’s event results speak volumes about our community’s awareness and understanding of the essential nature of Second Harvest Food Bank’s mission and work:
1320 Guests | over $180,000 raised (The most ever raised at this annual event and the equivalent of over 1,200,000 meals!)
Coming Soon
Stay tuned for news about upcoming events supporting Second Harvest Food Bank and Providence, including this Fall’s Farm to Fourth, at SecondHarvestNWNC.org.
