On April 27th, the 21st annual Empty Bowls event was held outside Bridger Fieldhouse in Winston-Salem. This is one of many programs that Second Harvest Food Bank organizes to help feed those in need. 

Last year, Covid 19 pressed organizations to become more creative in their continuation of fundraising events. Second Harvest decided on a drive-thru concept for Empty Bowls that was not only safe and in keeping with healthcare guidelines, but also a huge success. So much so, that they decided to bring it back with help from sponsors and supporters, including Wake Forest University, which provided the perfect area in front of Bridger Field House. This approach proved to be an especially good format for many people, who commented that in the past they simply not been able to take time away from work to participate in an in-person event.  The drive-thru format fit their needs perfectly and allowed them to support a wonderful cause while enjoying lunch or dinner. Many businesses and offices ordered as groups and then gathered at their workplace. 

This year’s co-presenting sponsors were Food Lion, Garner Foods, and Truist.  Chairing the Signature Empty Bowls event was the publisher of Forsyth Woman Magazines, Brooke Eagle, who was joined by Honorary Chairs Keela Johnson, founder of Forsyth Magazines, and Robin Bralley, publisher of Forsyth Family. The Chairs greeted guests with big smiles and bubbly personalities, energizing and thanking the guests for their support. The ladies also led some of the behind-the-scenes work and helped pack bags with soup and cookies prepared by Second Harvest’s Providence Team (lead chefs and culinary school students), and with cornbread and beautiful bowls. 

There were 1,340 guests and over $220,000 was raised, which can provide up to 1.5 million meals and support for Second Harvest’s programs, like Providence Culinary Training and Nutrition Services programming. Jenny Moore, Director of Communications & Public Relations for Second Harvest Food Bank, shares, “We are filled with gratitude to all those who make this community event possible year after year, our dedicated sponsors, the guests who come back every year, our soup makers and bowl providers. The resources this event brings to our mission are critical to the work we’ll be doing this summer to help ensure every child has enough to eat—every meal, every day. Anyone who missed the opportunity to attend this year can still contribute to this important work at FeedCommunityNow.org, and have their generosity matched dollar-for-dollar (through June 30th), thanks to a generous group of Second Harvest supporters.”

Second Harvest Food Bank is always in need of helping hands for its mission work. To learn more, visit: SecondHarvestNWNC.org/volunteer