The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County will host its 25th Annual Santa Barbara Empty Bowls fundraiser Sunday, Nov. 13 with four entry times at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the Foodbank’s Santa Barbara warehouse, 4554 Hollister Ave., adjacent to the Page Youth Center.
This year, Empty Bowls will feature a selection of handmade, one-of-a-kind bowls for each guest to choose from, and gourmet soup to go. New bowls will be available throughout the event.
Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased online at FoodbankSBC.org/SBEB22.
Funds raised at Empty Bowls help the Foodbank provide healthy groceries, fresh produce and nutrition education to low-income families and individuals in Santa Barbara.
New to this year’s event, Santa Barbara Empty Bowls includes an exclusive Artisan Gallery Silent Auction featuring ceramic art by local creators. Online viewing and bidding, with the option to purchase items, is open now in the Empty Bowls Gallery.
Community members, whether attending the live event or not, may visit FoodbankSBC.org/Gallery22 to preview, bid on or purchase distinctive ceramic creations made by local artists. The online gallery will be open through 5 p..m. Friday, Nov. 11. Live bidding will continue at the event on Nov. 13 through 3 p.m.
Event attendees will also be able to shop at a handmade ceramics marketplace for items to enjoy themselves or to give to those on their holiday gift lists, buy whimsical potted succulents, and participate in a raffle featuring such prizes as experiences and local wines.
This year’s soup to go will be prepared by Food from the Heart, with vegan, vegetarian and omnivorous options for guests to enjoy at home. Coffee and treats will be available from United States of Espresso, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Foodbank.
“It’s been my honor and delight for 25 years to support the Foodbank,” said Danyel Dean, ceramics artist and educator, Empty Bowls founder and chair of the event’s host committee since 1997.
“The way the Empty Bowls project has expanded awareness for the Foodbank and food insecurity in our community is immeasurable,” Dean said. “The experience of helping create opportunities for people to donate their time, talents and money to the Foodbank has been a joy.”
“The Foodbank, the Santa Barbara community and especially our neighbors living with hunger, have gained food, awareness — and love — as a result of Danyel’s singular commitment, along with her committee and our dedicated family of Empty Bowls participants,” said Foodbank CEO Erik Talkin.
Empty Bowls guests will also have an opportunity to tour the Foodbank’s warehouse, and learn more about the Foodbank’s mission and programs.
The Foodbank is grateful to sponsors of 2022 Santa Barbara Empty Bowls including Pacific Premier Bank, Frank Schipper Construction, Cyndee Howard, Montecito Bank & Trust, David and Julie Siegel, Union Bank, the Ford Family, Donnalyn Karpeles, Doug Hamilton, CenCal Health, Susan Rose, Mary Thompson, Katherine Bower, Brylen Technologies, Inc., California Learning Center, Shannon Frew, Susan Hersberger, Danyel Dean and Peter Castellanos, and Elizabeth and Leon Olson.
The Foodbank also values the support of its Empty Bowls in-kind sponsors include Clay Studios, eji experiences, Food from the Heart, Noozhawk, Page Youth Center, Santa Barbara Airbus, and The Santa Barbara Independent.
The Foodbank is grateful to the Santa Barbara Empty Bowls committee, which works year-round to make this event possible: Elisa Atwill, Danyel Dean, Merrillee Ford, Sarah Hanna, Donnalyn Karpeles, Nancy Krug, Collette Mason, Elizabeth Olson, Laurie Potter, Shanon Sedivy and Peggy Shoemaker.
For more information, contact the Foodbank at 805-967-5741 ext. 125. For more about Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, visit FoodbankSBC.org.