Loveland-area restaurants, shops and entertainment venues have a new way to support LIFE Food Pantry's biggest fundraiser: donate a gift card worth $25 or more to stock the mystery gift card raffle at the fifth annual Empty Bowls luncheon on Sept. 26.
The raffle was one of the most popular attractions at last year's event, the pantry said in a post on its website Aug. 14. Now organizers are asking the business community to help fill it again.
Gift cards can be dropped off at LIFE Food Pantry, 677 Loveland Madeira Road, in an envelope labeled "Empty Bowls – Sue Kentrup." Businesses can purchase a new card from their own store or another local shop. Residents who have an unused gift card sitting in a drawer are also welcome to donate it.
No drop-off deadline has been announced.
What is Empty Bowls?
As we reported in July, the luncheon pairs handcrafted pottery bowls made by local artists with soup donated by area restaurants. Guests keep the bowl. Two seatings are available, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 101 S. Lebanon Road. Tickets are $25 per person and went on sale Aug. 10.
Over its first four years, Empty Bowls has raised nearly $65,000 for the pantry, and last year's event drew more than 400 guests. LIFE Food Pantry receives no federal, state or local government funding and spends 89 cents of every dollar on direct food assistance.
The Loveland Interfaith Effort Food Pantry has operated since 1988 and served 949 adults, 550 children and 494 households in a single recent month. One in 10 Loveland residents faces food insecurity, according to the organization.
Individual sponsorships for the event start at $50; corporate sponsorships go up to $5,000. Details are available at lifefoodpantry.org or by calling (513) 583-8222.
Upcoming
- Saturday, Aug. 15: Meijer Double Match Day — $10 donations to LIFE Food Pantry tripled at the Loveland Meijer location, as we reported Aug. 14.
- Saturday, Sept. 26: Empty Bowls luncheon, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. seatings. Tickets: $25.
