OUR BOWLS ARE EMPTY SO OTHERS CAN BE FULL!

The state of Mississippi is one of the most food insecure states in America, with 1 in 5 Mississippians unsure if they can afford their next meal. In the Delta, 21% percent of households are food insecure, double the nationwide rate of 10.5%. These food-insecure homes in the Delta lack the ability to obtain nutritious and adequate food for a healthy life.

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. Extra Tables 5th Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser will be held at Delta Arts Alliance, 104 S Court Street in Cleveland, Mississippi, on Friday, October 13, from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

“We are glad to be back in Cleveland for our FIFTH YEAR and have the support of the Delta Arts Alliance, Junior Auxiliary, and our amazing sponsors,” said Extra Table Executive Director and Delta native, Martha Allen. “Empty Bowls has been a great success in the past, raising the much-needed funds to support Extra Table’s feeding efforts in the Delta.”

In exchange for a $30 donation, patrons receive a delicious meal of soup, bread, dessert, and a drink. Patrons also take home a one-of-a-kind handcrafted bowl by a DSU ceramic student or Delta potter as a reminder of the hungry people in our community whose bowls are empty.

Extra Table is the amazing partnership launched in 2009 by well-known restaurateur Robert St. John making a difference in the lives of Mississippians by fundraising in order to stock food pantries and soup kitchens across the state with wholesome nutritious food. Today, Extra Table provides healthy, shelf-stable food to over 57 food pantries and soup kitchens.

Funds raised from this event will be used to provide food to Delta area food pantries and continue support of the Statesman’s Shelf, the campus of Delta State University. Extra Table so proudly supports: Caring Hands-Itta Bena, Clarksdale Care Station-Clarksdale, Hearty Helpings Food Pantry-Greenville, Helping Hands-Belzoni, Helping Hands-Cleveland, Robert Neil Food Pantry-Charleston, Lexington Food Pantry - Lexington, St. Vincent De Paul-Greenville, and Tutwiler Community Education Center-Tutwiler.

“Our Extra Table’s partners have made it through a pandemic, supply chain challenges and we are facing major hurdles due to inflation,” stated Robert St. John, founder of Extra Table. “Empty Bowls is a fun event. Drop by on your lunch break, celebrate the talented artists, and share a meal with a friend in order to provide a meal to a neighbor in need.”

100% of the proceeds from this event will go toward purchasing healthy, shelf-stable food for DELTA food pantries and soup kitchens.

Consider being a sponsor; see attached information. The sponsorship deadline is October 1, 2023.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

$10,000 - Title Sponsor

$5,000 - Presenting Sponsor

$2,500 - Golden Ladle Sponsor

$1,000 - Silver Spoon Sponsor

$500 - Bronze Bowl Sponsor

$250 - Copper Cup Sponsor

For more information, reach out directly to Martha Allen. 

601-447-4667 or martha@extratable.org