[caption id="attachment_3038" align="alignright" width="375"] Photo by Vivian Krug Cotton ~ Emotions Photography[/caption] The 7th annual Empty Bowls Community Luncheon on September 26 raised $45,000 for 5Cities Homeless Coalition programs and services in southern San Luis Obispo County. Over the course of two and a half hours, more than 800 people ate soup and bread served by 30 local public servants and celebrities. They consumed more than 125 gallons of soup and dozens of loaves of bread provided by 25 local restaurants and bakeries, eating out of bowls selected from hundreds handmade and donated by local artists and students. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the turnout and support from the local community,” according to Shelly Higginbotham, one of the event organizers. “We are grateful to St. Patrick’s Church and the many businesses, congregations and organizations who work hand in hand with us to make this event so successful every year.” Many of those same partners work with the Coalition throughout the year to help those who are homeless or at risk for homelessness, according to Coalition Executive Director Janna Nichols. “We served more than 1,000 families last year thanks to our partnerships with donors, volunteers and other agencies in our community,” she says. “While permanent housing is the heart of our mission, the solution to homelessness is not just a roof.” Money raised at Empty Bowls helps fund case management and a variety of programs and services, as well as providing direct financial assistance for families facing homelessness. “Our challenge is to continue to provide help to our neighbors in need, while we are experiencing dramatic increases in requests,” says Coalition Board President Mike Byrd. “Empty Bowls also helps raise awareness about issues surrounding homelessness: increasing rents, the high cost of living in the area, and finding a living-wage job to be able to pay for housing.” Twenty-five local restaurants donated bread or at least five gallons of their signature soups, and ceramic and wooden bowls were created by Pottery Coast and Anam-Cré pottery studios, Central Coast Wood Turners, a variety of professional artists, and instructors and students at several local high schools and Allan Hancock College. Thanks to Altrusa International of Cinco Ciudades, students from Oceano Elementary and Lopez Continuation High School decorated more than 100 bowls specifically for the event. SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT YEAR:  SEPTEMBER 18, 2019! Please help us thank these sponsors, restaurants and artists for their support. Major sponsors include:

• Pacific Gas & Electric
• San Luis Obispo County Supervisors
• Community Foundation SLO County

Additional sponsors include:

Fantastic Soups and Bread Prepared By These Local Restaurants: