At a time when its services are needed more than ever, the Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB) is introducing its signature Empty Bowls event to a new site in Palm Beach Gardens. On Saturday, September 17, the Food Bank will be hosting its inaugural Empty Bowls in the Gardens during Hunger Action Month and bring the excitement to neighbors in Northern Palm Beach County. The first Empty Bowls in the Gardens is being hosted in partnership with ShopCore Properties at Downtown Palm Beach Gardens (DPBG), where supporters are reminded to “eat simply so others may simply eat.”
The PBCFB distributes food and services through its partner agencies and reaches more than 157,000 individuals in need each month. However, local numbers are rising as food shortages and economic setbacks continue to increase demand.
“There is no better time than now to add this event to our Empty Bowls line-up,” said Jamie Kendall, PBCFB CEO. “Everyone is facing financial pressures and we plan on being a beacon of hope for the community. That said, we encourage anyone who can be a part of our inaugural Gardens event to come out, support and contribute what you can to feed our hungry neighbors in Palm Beach County.”
Attendees can enjoy a simple meal of soup from local restaurants, freshly baked artisan bread from Old School Bakery, bottled water and an empty ceramic bowl to signify the many bowls in Palm Beach County that need filling. Supporters can savor soup of their choosing and mingle with local celebrity servers in the community!
Participating restaurants include Avocado Cantina, Brio Italian Grill, Café Chardonnay, Marriott Palm Beach Gardens, Prezzo, Pero Family Farms & Produce, Yard House, The Breakers Palm Beach, The Cooper and The Fresh Market PGA! Supporters can also revel in raffles prizes, live entertainment, and kid-friendly carousel rides. Empty Bowls in the Gardens sponsors include ShopCore Properties, Jupiter Magazine, Velocity Community Credit Union, Old School Bakery, Café Prosecco, Nona & Bill Kramer and Deborah & Michael Pucillo.
DPBG is also inviting the community to stop by Craft Haus to paint ceramic bowls that will be used during the event. Shoppers can stop by Craft Haus now through September 6 for this free activity, while supplies last.
“It’s a staggering and heart-breaking statistic that one in six children go hungry,” said Alexis Brock, Regional Marketing Manager for ShopCore Properties, owners and managing entity for Downtown Palm Beach Gardens. “September is Hunger Action Month, and our corporate philanthropic initiative centers around fighting hunger. We look forward to joining forces again with the Palm Beach County Food Bank and bringing their popular Empty Bowls event to Downtown Palm Beach Gardens to raise funds and awareness for hunger in Palm Beach County.”
In addition to Empty Bowls in the Gardens, DPBG will activate a powerful visual “The Giving Table” set to collect non-perishable food items on Saturdays until September 24. A striking orange table with six chairs will be strategically placed near Whole Foods at DPBG. The sixth chair will be white, showcasing a stark fact — that every sixth child experiences some form of food insecurity. All nonperishable food items collected will be distributed to PBCFB.
Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is a premier retail destination located in the heart of a Floridian lifestyle haven. In addition to an exclusive collection of unique, local retailers, Downtown is home to over 50 shops and restaurants and is accented by an abundance of signature events, family-centric experiences, a pet-friendly atmosphere, and infinite opportunities for connection and inspiration. Downtown offers something for everyone. The merchant mix is enhanced by lush landscaping, waterfront views and expansive outdoor space for entertainment and events. Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is owned and managed by ShopCore Properties.
Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is owned by ShopCore Properties. ShopCore, a Blackstone portfolio company, is a vertically integrated real estate company with internalized leasing, development, property management, legal, accounting, and asset management functions. Currently, ShopCore leases and manages more than 100 shopping centers, comprising nearly 20 million square feet across 18 states. For more information, visit shopcore.com.
The Palm Beach County Food Bank procures food from grocery stores, farmers, food distributors, wholesalers, and other sources to almost 200 local community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens and residential housing programs. Palm Beach County Food Bank programs reach families, children, and seniors, and connect those in need to available benefits and resources. Partner agencies distribute the products received, including culturally appropriate food and necessities like paper towels and diapers. This process ensures families have access to food when they need it most.
Tickets for Empty Bowls in the Gardens are $30 each for regular admission and $50 each for a VIP ticket. VIP tickets includes a special seating area, gourmet appetizers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages courtesy of Sandy James Fine Food & Productions.
For more information about PBC Food Bank, or Hunger Action Month this September, please visit pbcfoodbank.org.