PROP’s 11th annual ‘Empty Bowls’ in person on Feb. 21

PROP Food Shelf’s annual “Empty Bowls” event is set to return in person on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie. 

The event will take place during lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. 

The theme of this year’s 11th annual Empty Bowls is “Everybody Eats,” which aims to raise awareness and funding to combat hunger, housing, and employment insecurity in Eden Prairie and Chanhassen.

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a free bowl of soup as a reminder of local food needs, take home a hand-made bowl, and make an optional donation to support PROP. All proceeds will go towards helping those in need. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Empty Bowls will feature a live bowl-making demonstration by Minnesota potter Grace Pass, live entertainment, and a silent auction with items such as gift baskets, gift cards to local restaurants, and handmade crafts from local artists.

“Every day, hundreds of our neighbors struggle to put food on their table. In 2022, the use of PROP’s services increased 25% from the previous year,” said PROP Executive Director Jenifer Loon. “Food insecurity is one of the early indicators of a family in an economic crisis. A simple bowl of soup for a freewill donation is a tangible example of neighbors helping neighbors.”

Empty Bowls has evolved from a small high school fundraising project to support a food drive in the 1990s to a nationwide 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 over 50 years. PROP is supported by contributions from local businesses, civic organizations, churches, schools and individuals to provide these vital services.

If you are unable to attend the event, but would still 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 online.