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Empty Bowls Feed the Hungry in Charlotte County

Over 600 people supported this year's Empty Bowl Fundraiser in Charlotte County

What started in 1998 as Joan Winkler's 4th grade classroom project at Liberty Elementary school to teach about homelessness and hunger issues has grown into a district-wide event in Charlotte County Public Schools. Over 600 people turned out to support the Empty Bowls Fundraiser Dinner which raised over $11,000 for the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition.

Ceramic bowls created by students are sold at a fundraiser lunch with a menu of soups and bread donated by the local Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Outback Steakhouse restaurants. This year, over 1,000 bowls were crafted by students, community members, and art teachers. Picking the right bowl seemed to be the hard part for the participants while enjoying the soup. Giving financially to feed the homeless of Charlotte County was trouble-free. This recipe for success can be duplicated in your school or community.

For more information on the Empty Bowls fundraiser in Charlotte County, visit www.emptybowls.org.