Hundreds of local residents will gather at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston on Friday, April 4, to support Fairfax-based Food for Others. The organization is the largest free food distributor for the region’s needy population.
"We are excited about this event because it will truly be a community effort and will raise awareness of hunger in our community," said Linda Strup, a member of the Reston-based Giving Circle of HOPE, the host organization.
Local artisans have donated more than 500 bowls for the ‘Empty Bowls’ event. Residents are invited to come to the church and for a donation of $20 choose a bowl and eat a meal of soup, bread, drinks and desserts with neighbors. Local restaurants donated the food. The residents can keep the bowls after dinner as a reminder that there are empty bowls in the community. About 90,000 people live in poverty in Northern Virginia, 30 percent of them are children.
"What makes this event special," said Joan Kasprowicz, a founding member of the Giving Circle, "is that 500 bowls have been individually crafted for the event by The Clay Connection, The Bowman House and Reston Community Center."
All of the proceeds from the ‘Empty Bowls’ event will go to Food for Others. Tickets are available by calling 703-608-2231 or e-mailing givingcircle@hotmail.com. Tickets will be available at the door only if the event has not sold out. St. John Neumann Catholic Church is located at 11900 Lawyers Road in Reston. The event will take place on Friday, April 4, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. For more information visit www.givingcircleofhope.org.