A long-running community fundraiser aimed at fighting hunger and reducing food waste will return to Gettysburg this spring as the Gleaning Project hosts its 13th annual Empty Bowls event.
The gathering is scheduled for Friday, May 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cub Ballroom at Gettysburg College. Organizers say the event brings together food, local partnerships and community support to raise funds for programs that help address food insecurity across Adams and Franklin counties.
Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance, as none will be sold at the door. Tickets are expected to go on sale March 30 through the organization’s website at thegleaningproject.org.
The Empty Bowls event is designed as both a fundraiser and a reminder of the hunger that still affects many families. Guests will enjoy a selection of soups and other foods while supporting programs that redistribute fresh produce to people who need it most.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Gleaning Project, a program of South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP) that works with farmers, gardeners and volunteers to recover excess fruits and vegetables that might otherwise go to waste.
The organization’s mission focuses on making better use of agricultural surplus while increasing access to fresh food in communities that may struggle to obtain it.
Although south-central Pennsylvania is rich in farmland and agricultural production, many residents still face barriers to accessing fresh fruits and vegetables. The Gleaning Project helps bridge that gap by collecting extra produce from farms and gardens and distributing it at no cost through a network of food access sites throughout Adams and Franklin counties.
Those distribution sites include community partners such as food pantries and other local organizations that help deliver the produce directly to families in need.
The program also emphasizes collaboration, relying on partnerships with local growers, volunteers and community groups to collect, sort and distribute produce during the growing season.
Beyond food distribution, the project aims to strengthen connections across the region by bringing residents together around a shared goal of addressing hunger.
Sponsors for this year’s event include WellSpan Health as the “Soup-er Sponsor” and Highmark Wholecare as the corporate sponsor. Gettysburg College is serving as the venue sponsor.
By rescuing produce that might otherwise be wasted and delivering it to people who need it most, the Gleaning Project aims to turn agricultural abundance into a community resource.
Tickets and additional information about the Empty Bowls event are available at thegleaningproject.org.
Source: SCCAP, The Gleaning Project