Empty Bowls fundraiser at Middle Georgia State supports food bank efforts

Middle Georgia State University’s first Empty Bowls fundraiser raised money to fight hunger across 24 counties, supporting the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Middle Georgia State University hosted its first Empty Bowls fundraiser on Tuesday, an event that combats hunger by combining art, food, and community support.

Each guest enjoyed a bowl of soup and refreshments, then took home a handcrafted bowl, with proceeds supporting the food bank’s efforts to fight hunger across 24 counties in Middle Georgia.

President and CEO of the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank Kathy McCollum says Middle Georgia has seen an increase in food insecurity.

“This year there was a 10 percent increase, that’s on top of a 25 percent increase for the year before,” she said. “One in six of our Middle Georgia neighbors is considered food insecure. One in four children face food insecurity.”

McCollum says food banks have seen ups and downs in federal funding through the years, so this year, they have done some grant writing.

“We have some wonderful foundations and companies that really care,” she said. “In fact, yesterday I got confirmation of two different grants from two different types of companies that are providing money for us to purchase food. Companies realize that there are those fluctuations in other kinds of funding as priorities change and everything is a little in flux from a federal government level.”

She says this event will fill many more homes with the food they need.

“We had people from different walks of life, different professions, different organizations who have a deep concern about our neighbors who don’t get the food they need,” she said. “And it was wonderful seeing the community come together…we had over 200 people here today.”

If you or someone you know needs help with food, you can visit the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank website at https://mgcfb.org/.