Volunteers fill up empty bowls for Food Bank of Manatee
The organization held its annual fundraiser on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
By
Jessica Salmond
| 12:54 p.m. November 13, 2015
East County
Neighbors
Share
Savory soups from local restaurants fragranced Lakewood Ranch Main Street Friday, Nov. 13.
The Food Bank of Manatee held the 2015 Empty Bowls Fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch. For a donation, attendees received a handmade bowl, a bowl of soup, and samples of up to three different soup stations.
"We're delighted to see our community come out and help us fulfill our goals," said Food Bank CEO, Maribeth Phillips.
Cheryl Miller and Deborah Decker with Edward Jones watch over the ceramic bowls.
Riverstrand resident sEllen Kibbe, left, and Celeste Betjemann, right, with Food Bank CEO Maribeth Phillips
Angela Salazar and Jessica Cary, volunteers from Publix, give out prizes to wheel spinners.
Bill Marvin of Bradenton proudly displays his bowl selection.
Collette Abbot-Guthrie with Turner Tree and Landscaping selects a flavor from Kona Ice.
Kona Ice owner Dave Boyers passes down shaved ice cups to Empty Bowls attendees.
Waterlefe resident Dyana Young examines the bowls to make a selection.
Emily Savoca, Elise Sturgeon and Danielle Gaylord with Neal Communities
Gabe Diaz, a volunteer form Publix, serves up a bowl of 9th Street Bistro's beef barley soup to Christy Teffenhart with Neal Communities.
Karen Baxter of Lakewood Ranch and Deb Marshall of Bradenton
Mary Meyer, a seven-year volunteer with the food bank, spins the wheel for a prize.
Bowls were crafted by local students and artists for the fundraiser.
Fundraiser attendees sit down to enjoy their soup selection .
Ron Valdez, a volunteer with Edward Jones, serves up some Morton's Gourmet Market BBQ beef soup with kale and white beans.
