Community Food Bank Raises Money to Help the Needy During Economic Downturn
16th Annual Empty Bowls Fund Raiser hopes to provide 450,000 more meals so no neighbor goes to sleep hungry
Fresno, Calif. — The Community Food Bank will host its 16th Annual Empty Bowls Benefit Dinner at the Clovis Veteran Memorial Building on Thursday, September 8th at 5 p.m. This dinner couples fundraising with a night of fun and fabulous food. Enjoy decadent soups and pastas created by the Institute of Technology Culinary Arts students in a competitive “throw-down” fashion. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on an array of unique gifts during a silent auction. Every guest will take home unique, handcrafted and decorated ceramic bowls made specifically for this event throughout the year by students of all ages over the Central Valley.
The Community Food Bank serves more than 90,000 needy people each week. However, with more people seeking help during these hard economic times, the Food Bank needs to raise even more support. According to the Food Research and Action Center, Fresno ranks number one among 100 other metropolitan cities in the nation for residents who don’t have the money to purchase the food they need.
“While responding to the statewide drought, the collapse of the housing industry and record unemployment rates, we have increased food distribution programs from 7.5 million pounds per year in 2008 to 30 million pounds per year,” said Dayatra Latin, Director of Programs and Development at Community Food Bank.
The Community Food Bank hopes to raise more than $50,000 Thursday night. It takes only one dollar to provide nine meals. If the goal is met, that means 450,000 more meals will be provided for those in need, right here in the Valley! You can help us meet this goal! Participants can sponsor a table or reserve a seat at: www.communityfoodbank.com
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COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
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Media Opportunities
What: The Community Food Bank 16th Annual Empty Bowls Benefit Dinner Event (**Event takes place at 5 p.m. on Sept. 8th at the Clovis Veteran Memorial Bldg.)
When: August 29, 2011 – September 8, 2011 (prior to the night’s event)
Where: In-Studio or at the Community Food Bank office
Interviews: The Community Food Bank Director of Programs and Development, Dayatra Latin and cooking demonstration with students from the Institute of Technology Culinary Arts who are preparing the food for the event.
Visual: In-studio cooking demonstration with soups and pastas that will be available at the benefit dinner. Display of local artists handcrafted ceramic bowls that will be given away as favors to every guest. On-site tours of the Food Bank warehouse and distribution center are also available.
The Community Food Bank works with partner agencies to distribute food throughout the area with the goal to address the immediate nutritional needs of individuals and families in Fresno, Madera, and Kings Counties. They seek to provide solutions for acquiring and giving out food through community outreach and public education. Community Food Bank depends on donations from individuals, groups, corporations and fundraising events like Empty Bowls.
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For information: www.communityfoodbank.net
To schedule and interview contact: Andrea Shabaglian, Event Coordinator
E-mail: andrea@evenetsdvineonline.com
Phone: (559) 977-3213
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