Empty Bowls Benefiting Extra Table Oct 15, 2021

The state of Mississippi is one of the most food insecure states in the 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 3rd Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser will be held at Delta Arts Alliance, 104 S Court Street in Cleveland, Mississippi, on Friday, October 15, from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event will possibly look a little different again this year while we are making some concessions due to COVID 19. In order to ensure the safety of all participants, Extra Table has plans in place to turn the event into a drive-through fundraiser with outdoor seating available as well if necessary.

“We are glad to be back in Cleveland 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 2019 and 2020 was a grand success even with the drive thru option due to Covid. We are looking forward to a safe, successful and fun event supporting our feeding efforts at Extra Table – so enjoy the event and gather others to support Extra Table’s work 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 50 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, St. Vincent De Paul-Greenville, and Tutwiler Community Education Center-Tutwiler.

“Our Extra Table’s partners are reporting a 30-50% increase in requests for food so support is critical now more than ever,” 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.”

Visit www.ExtraTable.org to purchase tickets and for more information visit the website or call 601-447-4667. 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, 2021.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

$5,000 - Presenting Sponsor

• Your banner on display at event logo on all print material & soup table
• 12 meal tickets
• social media recognition

• Logo on all print material & soup table
• 8 meal tickets
• social media recognition

$1,000 - Silver Spoon Sponsor

• Logo on all print material
• 6 meal tickets,
• social media recognition

$500 - Bronze Bowl Sponsor

• Name on all print material
• 4 meal tickets
• social media recognition

$250 - Copper Cup Sponsor

• Name on all print material
• 2 meal tickets
• social media recognition