Empty Bowls Luncheon Benefits The Food Bank Of Manatee

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — The 20th Annual Empty Bowls luncheon benefitting The Food Bank of Manatee, a program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, takes place Thursday and Friday.

Attendees can enjoy a symbolic meal of soup, fresh-baked bread and dessert for $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. They’ll also receive a unique ceramic bowl made by a volunteer. Tickets can be purchased online here. All funds will benefit the food bank.

Meals can be purchased and picked up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, located at 502 3rd Ave. W. in Bradenton. On Friday, they can be ordered and picked up at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch shopping area, located at 8131 Main Street.

Because of COVID-19, this year’s fundraiser has been turned into a drive-through event, said Amy Towery, vice president of development. People can either drive through or walk through to pick up carry-out containers.

The ongoing pandemic also adds extra weight to this year’s fundraiser. The Food Bank of Manatee County has offered emergency relief during hurricanes in the past, but this doesn’t compare to the impact COVID-19 has had on the community, she said. Since the pandemic started, they’ve provided

“When you have a hurricane, you have maybe two or three events like that and then it’s done. With COVID-19, we’ve been doing this since mid-March.”

Towery added, “We definitely are still seeing an increase in need for just basic food for families, for children and for seniors through this pandemic. We definitely have a need to make that visible.”

The Food Bank of Manatee County is the only food bank in the county and Manatee’s “largest hunger relief program,” she said. Typically, it services more than 80 food pantries, social service agencies and soup kitchens throughout the community. Since the pandemic started, it’s offered food directly to the community through its new initiative, Food for Families. Since the pandemic program started in March, the food bank has provided more than 6,000 meals.

“Now more than ever, we need the support of the community to ensure we have the necessary resources for our friends and neighbors in need. With the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19, food-insecurity is a reality for thousands of families in our community,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. “Attending these events is a safe and great way to help our community,” she added.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.