Empty Bowls
26 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM JANUARY 2020
By Olivia Frenkel
For the last eleven years, the Food Bank of Solano and Contra
Costa have opened their warehouse doors on the second
weekend of October to families, local businesses, and longtime
supporters for their annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser.
This community event focuses on the important symbol of
its namesake: the “empty bowl.” Guests who purchase a ticket
will receive a unique, hand-thrown ceramic bowl that is not
only used for the simple soup dinner, but will also be taken
home as a reminder of those who struggle each day with the
task of feeding themselves and their loved ones.
After entering and receiving a ceramic bowl, guests are
free to sit at the large, round tables and participate in the raffle
or auction. The soup and bread dinner is served promptly
after everyone is seated, and guests are able to enjoy their
meal while also learning about the Food Bank’s work through
a brief speech by the Executive Director, Larry Sly. Shortly
after the raffle and auction are held, Mr. Sly leads tours of
the warehouses while informing guests on the processes of
community wide food distribution. The event itself is just
two hours long, yet its preparation took the extended
time and effort of many community organizations.
For the last three years, the Suisun Valley 4-H
Club has partnered with the Food Bank of both
Solano and Contra Costa to host this event.
The youth in this group are avid volunteers
and they dedicate many hours prior to the
event for planning and preparation. As early
as mid-August, 4-Her’s meet to photograph
the ceramic bowls for the annually redesigned
marketing pieces. Once the advertisements are
created, they help distribute the flyers throughout
their schools and neighborhoods in the hopes of
increasing participation. They are also assigned to local
organizations such as other 4-H clubs or community
groups to spread awareness and ask for donations in the
form of either sponsorships or items to be auctioned or
raffled. On the day of the event, the 4-Hers, along with
Special Events Manager Renée Baptiste and other volunteers,