Empty Bowls And Full Hearts

Friends of the Palm Beach County Food Bank came together with hosts Shelley and Craig Menin at the Cornell Art Museum in Old School Square in Delray Beach for a VIP reception to celebrate the then-upcoming Empty Bowls Delray Beach benefit.

Event chairs Stephanie Dodge and Marla Garchik welcomed more than 100 for an evening of cocktails and light bites as they viewed art in the museum. In addition, attendees participated in a silent auction of hand-painted bowls to help raise funds for hunger relief.

“Tonight is a very special evening to bring awareness to the Palm Beach County Food Bank,” noted Garchik, co-chair of Empty Bowls Delray Beach. “This year, many local artists have painted the bowls displayed tonight around the gallery for Empty Bowls.”

A national grassroots event, Empty Bowls invites the public to “eat simply, so others can simply eat.” Guests share a simple meal of bread, soup and water, which is donated by Old School Bakery and 30 local chefs and served by local celebrities. All guests receive a unique bowl to take home as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the community.

Garchik and Dodge then introduced Karen Erren, executive director of the Palm Beach County Food Bank, who said: “I always feel a little bit tender at this specific event because this community has done so much for us, and, with your support, we are able to work, to grow, to bridge the gap that exists between the food that goes into Palm Beach County and the food that is needed.” O

For more information, call 561-670-2518 or visit pbcfoodbank.org.