[11:18 AM] Jacqueline Kenney Skip to main content

FORT PIERCE, Fla. March 21, 2017 – Hundreds of patrons are the proud owners of new handmade ceramic bowls created by St. Lucie County public and private school students, and Treasure Coast Food Bank will be providing more than 56,000 additional meals as a result of the 2017 Empty Bowls project.

The event took place on Saturday March 18, 2017 at the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market where visitors who made a $15 donation to Treasure Coast Food Bank selected the bowl of their choice and received a meal of soup and bread. The event also featured a silent auction of bowls autographed by celebrities from the entertainment and sports world. Among the most popular were those signed by New York Mets Pitcher Jacob deGrom, and entertainers Kenny Rogers, Jay Leno and Johnny Mathis.

“We want to thank everyone who made the St. Lucie County Empty Bowls such a huge success,” Treasure Coast Food Bank President and CEO Judith Cruz said. “Special thanks to Heather Blackmon-Gordon, who coordinated all the schools’ participation and to all the other teachers and students who contributed their artwork and culinary talents to the event.

“We’re also grateful to Anne Satterlee from the Sunrise Theatre and Kasey Blair with the St. Lucie Mets for assisting us in getting the autographs,” Cruz said.

Special thanks go to those who sponsored the 2017 Empty Bowls project: Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, The Educational Foundation, Dominic Scotto, William and Laura Stanton, Crist Construction, Stanley and Nancy Bredemeyer, and William H. Hood, M.D., PA.

The St. Lucie County Empty Bowls project celebrated 10 years in support of Treasure Coast Food Bank’s fight against hunger. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots movement to help end hunger. Although beautifully decorated, the soup bowls are a reminder that many people don’t always have enough food to eat.

A small number of bowls still are available for purchase at Treasure Coast Food Bank’s offices, 401 Angle Road, Fort Pierce. Those who were unable to attend the event may stop in to purchase one of the remaining bowls.