Since stormy winter days have almost everyone thinking about soup, it's a good thing River City Food Bank's 8th annual fundraising event is just days away. As in previous years, Empty Bowls features some of the area’s finest restaurants serving up their best soups- all to raise awareness about hunger in the region. Everyone who attends Empty Bowls chooses from among 1,500 bowls, hand-crafted by Sacramento students and professional potters. The bowls represent people across the region who don’t have enough to eat. As many as one in seven people report that they don’t always have enough money to provide their families with food. After picking a bowl, attendees choose soup from one of these

One of Sacramento’s leading theatre companies is enjoying some positive financial news during a time of economic uncertainty for the region’s arts scene.  B Street Theatre was awarded a $100,000 check from Bank of America during the theatre’s weekly staff meeting last Thursday afternoon. The check is the first half of a $200,000 grant provided by Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative. “We are pleased to support the B Street Theatre’s extensive outreach to children in our region. We selected B Street Theatre because of their professional leadership, thoughtful programming and the impactful work they do in schools and hospitals throughout our community, said Lori Rianda, Mark

Local organizations are coming forward to help River City Food Bank after a massive fire destroyed their building early on Thursday morning. Sutter Health is donating $30,000 and holding an employee food drive to help raise the 8,000 lbs of food lost in the fire. The food bank has also received a $5,000 donation from the Golden 1 Credit Union, seven PC computers from Western Health Advantage, and office furniture from Ruland’s Used Office Furnishings. The community has also responded with generous monetary donations. “This morning’s fire is a devastating loss for thousands of people in Sacramento who rely on River City Food Bank for nutritionally based emergency food,” said Eileen Thomas

Last week, 15 formerly homeless individuals were recognized for their transition off the streets during Cottage Housing’s semi-annual graduation ceremony. The honorees, seven men and eight women, tearfully but eloquently told the audience about the struggles to get into the two year program, and the success which has resulted from their time there. Tom Pratt, a 2010 graduate of the program, started his stay at Quinn Cottages in January 2008. “I came with very few possessions, no job and eight months of sobriety. I didn’t know a lot about Quinn Cottages, but I was determined to use my time here to get back on my feet and return to society as a tax payer and not a tax taker,” said Pratt.

Ginger Hahn of Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates may be best known as the area's chocolate connoisseur but if her cupcake classes are any indication, she may need to add a wing to her popular Midtown shop. I stumbled upon Hahn's class thanks to an article in a (not to be named) Sacramento paper several weeks ago. My mom was planning a visit to Sacramento, and as anyone with family outside the area can attest, Old Sacramento loses its luster after multiple visits. I wanted to show my mom the Midtown I'm proud of. A cupcake making class in the L Street Lofts Penthouse seemed like the best way to show off our city's great views and culinary treats. After a sold out chocolate making class several