PROP Hosts Virtual Empty Bowls: A week of family-friendly fundraising to address food insecurity

PROP’s popular event, Empty Bowls returns for a ninth year as a virtual week long community event to raise awareness and funding to combat hunger in Eden Prairie and Chanhassen. 

Proceeds from the virtual events go to PROP. To sign up for an activity or learn more, visit propfood.org

“Every day, hundreds of our neighbors struggle to put food on their table. Food insecurity is one of the early indicators of family economic crisis and PROP’s Empty Bowls event has always epitomized neighbors helping neighbors,” says PROP’s Executive Director, Janet Palmer. “This year, we are bringing the spirit of Empty Bowls to the community.”

Take Out for Hunger (Restaurant Week): Enjoy some of the best soups our local restaurants have to offer! Check out our daily restaurants (and featured soups) at propfood.org (Participating restaurants include People’s Organics, Kona Grill, Houlihans-Chanhassen, Crumb Gourmet Deli, and Tavern 4 & 5.)

Take Home Bowl Kits: In partnership with the Eden Prairie Art Center, purchase and make your own bowl with this easy Clay Polymer Bowl Kit. Want more bowl making activities? Check out the Art Center or our website.

Benefit Concert: Friday, February 26 at 7pm join us for a free Live Streaming Concert by the local Minnesota group, 2 Girls and a Boyd, featuring Mary Jane Alm, Aimee Lee, Boyd Lee, and joining them on Mandolin is Richard Kriehn from A Prairie Home Companion. These veterans of stage and studio combine for a powerful live experience not to be missed.

Virtual BINGO Event: February 27, 3-5pm. Classic games of BINGO all from the comfort of your own home!

Random Acts of Kindness: Surprise and delight someone today with a random act of kindness. Find a list of ideas at propfood.org.

Invite a Friend to PROP’s Virtual Open House: Bring a friend or family member and tour PROP virtually. Schedule your personal tour now by emailing maryb@propfood.org

 “This event is an open invitation to people to have safe fun while helping others. I think that has always been the true meaning of our Empty Bowls gathering – a feeling of community togetherness,” says PROP’s Marketing Director, Kelli Steidle.

In a January 29 email, Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case said he would “highly recommend” the PROP food event for those “looking for ways to help those in need this winter.”

Empty Bowls has evolved from a small high school fundraising project to support a food drive in the 1990s to a nation-wide grassroots event that supports local food banks, soup kitchens, food shelves, and other organizations that fight hunger. Millions of dollars have been raised over the last 30 years to combat hunger.  

PROP Food Shelf has been providing food and emergency services in Eden Prairie and Chanhassen for 50 years. PROP is supported by contributions from local businesses, civic organizations, churches, schools and individuals to provide these vital services.

If you can’t make the events, but would like to support PROP’s Empty Bowls event, donations can be made online at propfood.org or mailed to PROP, 14700 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.  For more information call 952-937-9120 or visit www.propfood.org.