Palm Beach County Food Bank to Host Annual Empty Bowls Delray Beach

The Seventh Annual Empty Bowls Delray Beach event is returning to ensure the community can enjoy a simple meal of soup, bread and water to remind guests to ‘eat simply, so others may simply eat.’ From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Trinity Delray Lutheran Church and School, attendees are encouraged to grab a spoon for a modest meal in support of the Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB).

The national grassroots event strives to educate people to recognize food insecurity in the community, with one-in-six people in Palm Beach County being food insecure. This year’s returning event chairs include Stephanie Dodge and Billy Himmelrich, alongside honorary chairs Ali Kaufman and John Brewer. 

“This event is right on the cusp of the holidays, and this is the time for residents to come out and support their neighbors who need hope in the new year,” Jamie Kendall says, CEO of PBCFB. “Every ticket purchased helps an individual or family put a holiday meal on the table or simply provides them with the everyday nutritional basics they need in the household.”

Old School Bakery will provide rustic bread and 35 local chefs will donate savory, signature soups, all served by local community leaders. All money raised by purchased tickets will support the nonprofit’s mission toward hunger relief. 

Platinum ladle sponsors for the event include Trinity Delray Lutheran Church. Gold ladle sponsorships include Old School Bakery, The Garchik Family Foundation, The Dodge Family and Shelly and Billy Himmelrich. Silver ladle sponsors include Brenda Medore and Leanne Adair. Bronze ladle sponsors include Taylor Dodge, Northern Trust, Dan and Sue Lipson, Futures Recovery Healthcare, Vertical Bridge Charitable Network, ArtSea Living and Patricia Werhahn. Sponsorship opportunities are still available at pbcfoodbank.org/delray-beach-empty-bowls. 

The PBCFB procures food from grocery stores, farmers, food distributors, wholesalers and other sources and provides it to almost 200 local community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens and residential housing programs.