The 22nd annual Santa Maria Empty Bowls, known as a culinary experience and a gesture of solidarity with those in the community who face food insecurity, will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Hosted by the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, the popular event aims to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief programs. Anna Boren, event coordinator, said the program model started in the 90s at a high school in Michigan when “an art class made handmade ceramic bowls and served soup to fundraise for their local foodbank.” “That kind of event program caught on and was modeled throughout the entire world, actually, and that is something that the Foodbank adopted about 26 years ago,” Boren said. The inaugural event was held in Santa Barbara and the Foodbank added fundraisers in Santa Maria and Lompoc.
Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Hosts 22nd Annual Empty Bowls in Santa Maria
