12-21-13 empty bowls fundraiser

Nearly $10,000 was raised in support of area food pantries thanks to attendees, donors and sponsors of the 2013 Empty Bowls Fundraiser.  The event, which was held on December 4, 2013 at the Retlaw Plaza Hotel, brought over 500 community members together in support of a great cause.   Organized by the Leadership Fond du Lac Alumni Group and sponsored by Associated Bank and Consultants Laboratory of Wisconsin, this event brought awareness to hunger in our community and world and it provided an opportunity for the community to come together to raise money for local food pantries and shelters.  This year, six area food pantries benefited from the generosity of the Empty Bowls Fundraiser, with each receiving a check for $1,639.00.  The following food pantries were assisted: Broken Bread, Fondy Food Pantry, Loaves & Fishes, Salvation Army, Solutions Center and St. Vincent DePaul.  The success of this event could not have been possible without the help of area businesses, donors, student artists and Leadership Fond du Lac Alumni – all coming together to give of their time, talents and resources.  Delicious soups were donated by Boda’s Restaurant and Catering, Fat Joe’s Bar & Grill, Red Cabin at Green Acres, Salty’s Seafood & Spirits, Sunset on the Water Grill & Bar and Trepanier’s Backyard Grill & Bar.  With each restaurant donating 20 gallons of soup, event attendees were able to sample various soups, as well as milk, breads and desserts provided by: Aramark, Baker’s Pride, Bob and Bonnie’s Donuts & Cakes, Festival Foods, Lake Breeze Dairy, Linstrom’s Catering and Schreiner’s Restaurant.  A cornerstone of this event is the concept and reality of an empty bowl, which serves as a reminder for those who go hungry every day.  To bring awareness to this important social need, area art students crafted more than 500 bowls, which allowed every event attendee to take a bowl, signifying the true purpose of the event.  Participating schools included:  Students at Campbellsport High and Middle Schools, Fond du Lac High School, Horace Mann High School, North Fond du Lac Alternative High School, Oakfield Middle School, Sabish Middle School, St. Mary’s Springs Academy – High School, Theisen Middle School, Winnebago Lutheran Academy and Woodworth Middle School.