As part of a “Bowl-a-Thon” event, art students at Vista Del Lago High School in Folsom today finished off the last of 200 bowls they donated to River City Food Bank for its upcoming Empty Bowls event. The fundraiser, slated for Monday, March 8, and Tuesday, March 9 at the Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street in Sacramento, aims to raise at least $80,000 to feed growing numbers of hungry adults and children in the greater Sacramento area.

“We are deeply grateful for the energy and dedication of Marianne Dana’s art students, especially during this time of difficult budget cuts for public schools,” said Eileen Thomas, Executive Director of River City Food Bank (RCFB). “Many more people are turning to food banks for the first time, especially seniors, so funds from the Empty Bowls event come at a critical time.”

More pictures of this morning's activities are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rivercitycommunityservices/.

RCFB served nearly 40,000 people in 2000, primarily working poor adults, adults securing food for children, seniors and pregnant women.

Vista Del Lago students were among 19 schools and 32 groups and individuals that created bowls for the event. Vista Del Lago students donated the second largest number of bowls. The school had originally expected to donate 150 bowls but ended up creating 200.  Although this is only the second year that Vista Del Lago has participated, the school has shot nearly to the top of the list of schools donating bowls.

For the first time, organizers have expanded Empty Bowls to include a preview evening event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 8. At the evening event, attendees will select a handmade bowl and enjoy gourmet soups in addition to hors d'oeuvres and wine provided by Bogle Winery. The popular luncheon on Tuesday, March 9, with its 11:30 and 12:30 seatings, will continue as before with a delicious array of soups made by area chefs and restaurants. Attendees at both events choose from hundreds of handmade bowls made by students and artists from throughout the region, as a powerful reminder of the many empty bowls in our community.

The event is an important source of funds for River City Food Bank, a 501(c)(3) charity that provides food and emergency housing aid to anyone in need in Sacramento County. It also raises awareness about the often-invisible problem of hunger in Sacramento. Seniors are being hit particularly hard by the current economic problems because their fixed incomes are not keeping pace with rising food and other costs. Many seniors live at or below the federal poverty line, an income level that covers only half of their most basic living expenses. RCFB also helps meet the nutritional needs of many children in the area.

Tickets may be purchased for $25 each for the luncheon event, and $50 each for the evening event. Tickets are through the agency’s website at http://www.rivercityfoodbank.org.

Delicious soups are being donated by Scott’s Seafood Bar and Grill, Lucca Restaurant, Café Bernardo, R 15, Michelangelo’s Italian Art Restaurant, The Broiler, 33rd Street Bistro, Vizcaya, L Wine Bar and Greek Village Inn.

RCFB is the only Sacramento food outreach program that serves all of Sacramento County and that provides nutritional counseling in addition to food supplies. It is also unusual for its provision of frozen meat or protein. Most of the small organization’s manpower comes from volunteers, who donate more than 11,000 hours of service each year.

Cash donations are welcomed and may be made online at www.rivercityfoodbank.org, or sent by mail to P. O. Box 160204, Sacramento, CA 95816.

For further information, contact Eileen Thomas via telephone at 916-446-2627, or via email at ethomas@rivercityfoodbank.org.