Catholic Community Service's Empty Bowls fundraiser helps fill the plate of the homeless

IC photo/Laura Vallejo

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Several handcrafted bowls were for sale at the Empty Bowls fundraiser of CCS.

SALT LAKE CITY — Catholic Community Services of Utah’s Future Leaders Board members hosted their first event on June 15, partnering with Clay Arts, Utah, Even Stevens and FFKR Architects for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser.

Organizing Empty Bowls was a way of giving back to the community, said Dejan Eskic, president of the Future Leaders board.

“We are young professionals and we wanted to do something to give back, but we are not in a place in our careers yet where we can give in large [amounts or] make big donations, so our time is what we donated,” Eskic said.

Empty Bowls was a way “to empower others to come together to give a hand; especially in today’s environment everyone needs to step up and give a hand to those most in need,” he said.

It took the efforts of the whole board to be able to expand the Empty Bowls event to a broader community. In previous years, the annual event was held on a Saturday afternoon at the St. Vincent de Paul dining hall. This year, it was on a Friday night at FFKR Architects. Even Stevens donated sandwiches. As in past years, members of Clay Arts, Utah donated handmade bowls.

“We came together as community partners ... and worked hard. This was a team effort,” said Eskic, who is one of the nine young professionals who form the board. They come from different backgrounds and professions.

The idea of having a CCS Future Leaders Board came about because the organization wanted to expose younger professionals to the needs of the community that CCS serves, said Jose Lazaro, CCS’ development director.

Empty Bowls was a great opportunity to make people aware that homeless is a real issue and it doesn’t occur just in Salt Lake City, said Janice Alonso, vice president of the Future Leaders Board.

“This is our community. We live here. To turn your head and pretend it doesn’t affect you is a lie. ... I knew people wanted to help but didn’t know how. I think this [Empty Bowls] is a good way to expose them to what is needed and how they can help,” said Alonso, adding that she was happy to help to spread the awareness of homelessness, “especially to a different population of young professionals.”

Each $20 bowl sold at the event helped provide warm meals to 22 homeless individuals at  CCS’ St. Vincent de Paul dining hall, which serves  more than 1,000 meals each day to those in need.  

“Empty Bowls is the only fundraiser we have for Homeless Services and is crucial in helping raise awareness and funds for those who come to the St. Vincent de Paul dining hall every day,” Matthew Melville, director of CCS’ Homeless Services, said in the invitation to the event.

Among those who attended this year’s Empty Bowls event was Casey Jensen, who had participated last year, as well. “It is our responsibility to take care of the people around us,” he said. “I don’t think that any of us can make it through life by our own.”

“Little things can make a big difference,” added Diana Dearman, who also attended.

“Many [people] would be surprised by the faces they see come through our doors for help,” Melville said. “You never know who is need of a helping hand, but anyone can make a difference.”

According to CCS, this years’ Empty Bowls event raised $14,026.81, which will provide 15,400 meals to those experiencing homelessness and hunger who are served at the St. Vincent de Paul dining hall.

Bowls are still available for purchase; stop by the St. Vincent de Paul dining hall, 437 West 200 South in Salt Lake City, or call 801-363-7710.