ALIVE! executive director Jenn Ayers, second from right, with Suzanne Kratzok, Kate Garvey and George Valenzuela at the 7th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser March 1 at Virginia Theological Seminary.
ALIVE! held its 7th annual Empty Bowls fundraising dinner March 1 in the Coffield Refectory at the Virginia Theological Seminary
“This is an exciting night,” said ALIVE! executive director Jenn Ayers. “This is our 7th annual event and we are sold out. We have some wonderful people from the city here – our business leaders, our sponsors, our volunteers --- all raising awareness about hunger in our community.”
The event raises funds and awareness for people facing food insecurity in the City of Alexandria. Attendees enjoyed food donated by area restaurants, local music, auction items, and a handcrafted bowl to take home. The Jen Walker Team was presenting sponsor.
“I am so excited to be here,” said Elizabeth Moon, CEO of Focus Data Solutions. “We are so proud to be a sponsor and to help ALIVE! be able to serve our community.”
Empty Bowls Alexandria is a fundraising dinner that benefits ALIVE!’s programs that provide essential groceries, transitional shelter, financial help, eviction prevention, and donations of furniture and housewares for Alexandrians in need.
Food for the fundraiser dinner was donated by: Il Porto Ristorante, Beeliner Diner, O'Connell's, Los Tios Grill, Sweet Fire Donna's, Chadwick’s, Taverna Cretekou, Maribeth Bakery, Bread and Water, Cameron Café, Goodies, Wegmans, Taqueria El Poblano, Great Harvest, and Matt and Tony's All Day Kitchen and Bar. Music was provided by the Alexandria Citizens Band.
ALIVE! is the largest private safety net in the City of Alexandria dedicated to fighting poverty and hunger. Founded in 1969 as Alexandria Involved Ecumenically by 14 faith communities in response to rising levels of poverty, ALIVE! has grown to 50 member congregations. www.alive-inc.org
Christine Brown and Town Crier Ben Fiore-Walker check out the auction items at the ALIVE! Empty Bowls fundraiser March 1 at Virginia Theological Seminary.