JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas held its annual “Empty Bowls” event over lunch Thursday. Organizers say the event carries a simple message: while some eat, somewhere, someone’s bowl is still empty.
Chief Development Officer Rebecca Hendrix described how the event works.
“And just remember, somebody’s bowl is empty somewhere. So when people come in today, they’re going to get a bowl as their reminder. And then they’re going to take our drive-thru, hopefully buy a raffle ticket. And then on the other side, they’re going to pick up their sandwich of food that’s been donated by local community restaurants,” Hendrix said.
Hendrix said all the money raised will go back into buying food for the food bank.
“We’re going to turn around and buy food with it. Yeah, because our shelves are bare. We’ve had a tough time lately with being able to get donated food in and receiving funds. And so that’s what we’re doing. We’re going to fill the food bank up with it,” Hendrix said.
Empty Bowls raised a total of $69,327, just shy of their $70,000 goal. This will provide around 208,000 meals for people facing hunger.
Organizers say today’s turnout is a big help, but the need isn’t going away. The food bank says it is always looking for donations and volunteers to keep families fed across Northeast Arkansas.
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