Leadership Fond du Lac Alumni and community members give back in a huge way!

Thanks to attendees, donors and sponsors of the 2019 Empty Bowls fundraiser, over $8,000 was raised in support of area food pantries. The event, which was held on November 20, 2019 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, united community members, area businesses and students in support of a great cause.

“The Empty Bowls Committee is very proud to have raised over $8,000 for our local food pantries. The dedication and effort of all our community partners, donors, and volunteers is greatly appreciated and we wouldn’t be able to raise this money without them,” stated Brian Mand of Aramark, 2019 Empty Bowls Steering Committee Co-Chair. “It truly is a blessing to be able to help so many people that are in need in our community – especially this time of year.”

Organized by the Leadership Fond du Lac Alumni Group and sponsored by Agnesian HealthCare – a member of SSM Health, Associated Bank, Fond du Lac Morning Rotary Club, Fond du Lac Noon Rotary Club, Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, Society Insurance, and Spectrum, this event brought awareness to hunger in our community, and it provided an opportunity for the community to come together to raise money for local food pantries and shelters. This year, five area food pantries benefited from the proceeds of the Empty Bowls fundraiser, with each receiving a check for $1,672.62. The following food pantries were assisted: Broken Bread, Fondy Food Pantry, Loaves & Fishes, Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul.

The success of this event could not have been possible without the help of area businesses, donors, student artists and Leadership Fond du Lac Alumni – all coming together to give of their time, talents and resources. Delicious soups were donated by The Backyard Grill & Bar, Boda’s Restaurant, Salty’s Seafood & Spirits, Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, Sunset on the Water Grill & Bar, and Ziggy’s Pub. With each restaurant donating 20 gallons of soup, event attendees were able to sample various soups, as well as milk, breads and desserts provided by: Annie’s Fountain City Café, Aramark, Baker’s Pride Bakery, Crossroads Care Center, Festival Foods, Fishy’s Bakery, Fond du Lac High School, Horace Mann High School, Lake Breeze Dairy Group, Moraine Park Technical College, and Schreiner’s Restaurant.

A cornerstone of this event is the concept and reality of an empty bowl, which serves as a reminder for those who go hungry every day. To bring awareness to this important social need, area art students and organizations crafted bowls, which allowed every event attendee to take a bowl, signifying the true purpose of the event. Participating schools and organizations included: Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac, Campbellsport Middle and High School, Fond du Lac High School, Horace Mann High School, Marian University, North Fond du Lac Alternative Learning Center, Oakfield Middle and High School, Sabish Middle School, St. Mary’s Springs Academy, Theisen Middle School, and UW – Fond du Lac Art Students League.

The Leadership Fond du Lac Alumni Group is comprised of graduates of the Leadership Fond du Lac
Program, a program of Envision Greater Fond du Lac. For more information, contact Envision Greater Fond
du Lac at (920) 921-9500 or visit www.envisiongreaterfdl.com.