Hundreds Gather for 15th Annual Empty Bowls Benefit [VIDEO]
ST. CLOUD -- Nearly 1,000 people came out, grabbed a bowl and supported this year's Empty Bowls soup feed benefit.
The fundraiser started as a grassroots movement in the early 1990's to help recognize the hunger problem in the United States. Empty Bowls is used as a way to remind us that every day somewhere, someones bowl is empty.
Place of Hope Ministries Pastor Carol Smith says Place of Hope has been hosting an Empty Bowl's benefit for the past 10 years and St. Cloud has been hosting a benefit for the past 15 years.
Every food feed attendee got to bring home a decorated bowl. Not one bowl is the same.
"These bowls are from different artists and vendors throughout central Minnesota, the Minnesota Woodworkers Association, Art As You Like It, local artist David Glen, Paramount Theatre and schools." -Smith
All the different soups for the benefit were donated from local restaurants. About 125 volunteers help run the event and all funds raised go back into the community.
"All the proceeds help Place of Hope Ministries, and it goes into Ann's meals fund which is for our meal feeding program where we feed 7,000 meals a month." -Smith
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