The 4th Annual Empty Bowls event was held Thursday to benefit the ECHO homeless shelter in Atascadero.
This year, attendees were able to choose between lunch and dinner. A $25 ticket got them a meal of soup and bread and a handmade ceramic bowl to take home.
Organizers say they raised more than $25,000 for the shelter.
“It is a different type of shelter,” explained Wendy Lewis, El Camino Homeless Organization CEO. “It’s all about program-based, so case management, and they have a home for at least 90 days where they transform their lives. Last year, 112 people found a home of their own working with ECHO.”
More than 20 local restaurants contributed a variety of soups for the event.
Those who were unable to attend the event but would still like to donate can do so on the ECHO website.
