Join Our 2023 Empty Bowls Campaign
"We're Brimming With Hope: Fill Hearts and Fight Hunger in the Upcoming Year!"
$70,364 raised
$100,000 goal
We are no longer accepting donations on this campaign, but there are other ways for you to support us today!
Welcome to our 2023 Empty Bowls Campaign. Our campaign symbolizes our collective commitment to filling the void left by hunger.
For nearly a decade, Grow It Forward has tirelessly worked to enhance the accessibility of wholesome, locally sourced food in Manitowoc County. Our core mission, which focuses on ensuring respectful access to quality food for Manitowoc County residents in need, directly supports your local community.
Your valuable support empowers us to expand our endeavors in the upcoming year to:
- Distribute over 60,000 pounds of food through our food pantry.
- Cultivate nearly 8,500 pounds of fresh greens in our hydroponic farm.
- Provide more than 7,500 free meals via our weekly community meal program.
- Extend pantry services to 924 Manitowoc County households, encompassing 2,340 individuals who are registered to utilize our services.
- Deliver culinary and garden-related educational programs for both youth and adults.
- Help support 20+ local food producers and farmers.
We cordially invite you to become a part of our supporter community by participating in this year's 'Empty Bowls Campaign.' Your involvement will play a pivotal role in continuing to nourish the hungry residents of Manitowoc County.
Our 'Empty Bowls Campaign' has set a target of $100,000, which includes funds raised during the campaign's kick-off event scheduled November 16th. By achieving this critical financial goal, you will ensure that we can address the escalating needs of over 8,000 food-insecure residents in Manitowoc County.
Even a modest monthly contribution from you holds the potential for a profound impact on our community. It signifies that, thanks to your support, more people will have access to the most nutritious, sustainably grown produce available, food served with dignity, and opportunities for all to grow, cook, share, and advocate for good food in Manitowoc County!
There is no better time than now to decide that you can and will join us in our effort to create a more just, accessible, nutritious, and sustainable food system throughout Manitowoc County. Your gift of any kind will advance the important work we are doing. I would like to personally welcome you to be part of our work, knowing that you are making an impact in the world around us.
OUR CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF EVENT
We were humbled and inspired by the unity of over 200 individuals and community organizations who joined us at our 1st Annual Empty Bowls Campaign Kick-off Event which was held November 16th, 2023. This event helped raise over $25,000 towards our $100,000 year-end goal in support of Grow It Forward's hunger programs, which provide more than 725,000 meals annually to children and families in Manitowoc County with insufficient access to the healthy foods they need to thrive.
Empty bowls represent more than mere vessels; they symbolize the stark reality faced by many in our community. Yet, as we gathered, we brought forth the spirit of abundance, aiming to transform these empty vessels into vessels of hope.
At Grow It Forward, our mission is rooted in providing dignified access to good food. We envision a world where no bowl remains empty, where the cornucopia of blessings is shared by all. Your support signifies a commitment to turning the tide against hunger. Together, we can weave a tapestry of sustenance, ensuring that the cornucopia of plenty touches every life.
Thank you for being the artists of change, painting a vibrant future where the concept of an empty bowl is but a distant memory. Cheers to a world where no one goes to bed hungry, and every bowl overflows with promise.
HISTORY OF EMPTY BOWLS
In 1990 a high school art teacher in Michigan helped his students solve a problem. They were searching for a way to raise funds to support a food drive. What evolved was a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fundraising meal. Guests were served a simple meal of soup and bread, and were invited to keep the bowl as a reminder of hunger in the world.
By the following year the originators had developed this concept into Empty Bowls, a project to provide support for food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations that fight hunger. The Imagine /RENDER Group, a 501(c)3 organization, was created to promote the project. Since then, Empty Bowls events have been held throughout the world, and millions of dollars have been raised to combat hunger.
Participants of our event selected a hand-painted and /or -crafted ceramic bowl designed by professional potters, school and university art classes, sampled delicious soup and bread from local chefs while listening to live music – all of which will be donated. As in Michigan, attendees took bowls home as a reminder that SOMEONE’S BOWL IS ALWAYS EMPTY.
A big thank you to our campaign sponsors!
SOUP-er Hero!
BOULLIAN-aire!
STOCK-holder!
SPOON-ser!
BETH DRINKWINE
STEW-ard!
