When what you love and what the community needs meet at a crossroad, it’s a no brainer to join forces and accomplish benevolent tasks while having a great time. On Wednesday, November 14th, from 4:30-8:30 p.m., a heap of foodie friends and family will indulge their love for cuisine and the community as they gather for the Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network‘s (NPIHN) 20th Anniversary Empty Bowl Dinner.
Working in partnership with Chestnut Hill College, NPIHN’s Empty Bowl Dinner will be held at Sorgenti Arena (9601 Germantown Avenue) and have two seatings; one at 4:30-6 p.m. and another at 6:30-8 p.m. This family-friendly fundraiser has turned into a popular event with the surrounding community and is critical in helping the NPIHN continue its mission to provide food and shelter to local homeless families. Businesses, schools, and artists donate bowls, while local restaurants donate soups, breads, and desserts. For a small fee, diners can select a hand-crafted bowl and enjoy the hearty meal. At the end of the evening, diners take home their empty bowl as a reminder that every night in the City of Philadelphia more than 1,000 children go without a meal or a place to call home.
This year, the Empty Bowl dinner celebrates the 20th anniversary of the NPIHN in Northwest Philadelphia and the expansion of the NPIHN into Northeast Philadelphia. It also honors those congregations that have served NPIHN over the years. Sponsors include The K Ten Kids Foundation, Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, Pepsi, Prudential Fox and Roach, People Helping People Inc., sitiCare, The Goldenberg Group, and Chestnut Hill Hospital.
There will be live music, raffles, children’s activities, and Mike McGrath of WHYY’s “You Bet Your Garden” will be a special guest that evening. New this year, for a small donation, participants can also sponsor the dinner as a Dinner Host. Tickets are $20 for adults, $8 for students and children, and can be purchased in advance at www.philashelter.org. For a full list of participating restaurants, schools, potters, and artists, please visit www.chc.edu
