For the peckish, charitable, and art-loving residents of the Chippewa Valley, Feed My People Food Bank is hosting its annual Empty Bowls fundraiser March 1 at the Florian Gardens. The event runs 11am-7pm, during which time guests can enjoy a meal of soup, specialty bread, and dessert and, for an additional donation, take home a hand-crafted ceramic bowl. Some bowls were donated by local student and professional potters. Others were hand-painted at an event co-sponsored by the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council. Tickets are $20 for a meal and a bowl and $8 for a meal alone. Children younger than 10 eat free. Several levels of sponsorship are also available for the event. Last year, more than 2,700 people attended the Empty Bowls event. Feed My People Food Bank serves nearly 70,000 people in a 16-county area, including 25,000 children. It distributed nearly 7.5 million pounds of food in 2016 through hunger relief programs. Those who are interested in donating a handmade bowl to the event can call (715) 835-9415. 

Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Feed My People • Thursday, March 1 • 11am-7pm • The Florian Gardens • $8-20 • info@fmpfoodbank.org