Bowls of Hope: Family Promise of Philadelphia Celebrates a Quarter Century of Giving at the 25th Annual Empty Bowl Dinner Hosted by William Penn Charter
Community invited to keep Philadelphia families housed on Wednesday, October 28 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at William Penn Charter School.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Family Promise of Philadelphia (FPP) marks a milestone as its Empty Bowl Dinner turns 25 years old. For a quarter of a century, Northwest Philadelphia neighbors, restaurants, artists and students have come together for an evening of soup, handcrafted bowls and generosity.
Empty Bowl Dinners spread awareness around food and housing insecurity across the world. Local artists and restaurants donate their talents and food to support organizations fighting homelessness and food scarcity.
“It’s truly a community affair,” said Robert Byrne, Executive Director of FPP. Byrne described the collaboration with William Penn Charter School as uniting students, families, faculty, and local businesses alike. “The dinner is a great way for folks from all over the city to engage in our work and enjoy a wonderful meal,” Byrne concluded.
Family Promise of Philadelphia has spent more than 35 years preventing homelessness in Northwest Philadelphia. Last year, the organization prevented more than 125 families and 200 children from becoming homeless. Through eviction prevention, shelter diversion, rental and utility assistance, financial literacy programs, and trauma-informed case management, FPP helps families overcome immediate crises and build lasting stability.
Upon purchasing tickets at the event, guests select one ceramic bowl that they will later be able to take home. The “empty bowl” serves both as a reminder of poverty and housing insecurity, a message of hope and an encouragement to fill someone else’s bowl.
Last year's dinner featured bowls from ceramic studios and artists including Carol Allen, Jason Silverman, Liz Kinder, Nina Gordon, Cornelia Lietzman (Outlaw Arts), and Ellen Pine Litwin (Cheltenham Center for the Arts). Students from Bala Cynwyd Middle School, Delaware Valley Friends School, Springside Chestnut Hill, and William Penn Charter School also contributed their crafted bowls.
Meanwhile, local restaurants and bakeries donate soups, bread and dessert for attendees. Soups ranged from chilis to lentil soup, tomato, hot and sour, butternut squash, pork pozole, and many more.
The evening also includes a raffle where guests have the opportunity to receive prizes donated by local businesses.
This year’s event is generously supported by sponsors including Giant, Jefferson Health Plans, Wawa, M&T Bank, and Elfant Wissahickon Realtors.
Reflecting on the impact of the 25th annual Empty Bowl Dinner, Rachel Falkove, former Executive Director of FPP, commented: “It was really about the idea that people in a community need to share, and people who have the means, need to share with those who don’t.”
To purchase tickets or learn more, visit: https://www.familypromisephl.org/event-details/25th-annual-empty-bowl-dinner-1
Family Promise of Philadelphia is a 501(c)3 helping families with children overcome housing instability by preventing eviction, providing shelter, and supporting long-term self-sufficiency. For more information, visit: https://www.familypromisephl.org
Media Contact: Zoe Schaedle, Community Engagement VISTA | engagement@familypromisephl.org | 215-620-8994
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