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Community Corner

Bowls of Generosity at Giving Circle of Hope's Fundraiser

Reston's Empty Bowls event raises $20,000 for Food For Others.

On Thursday night,  , a member, received a award for her volunteer efforts.

Friday night she was back on the job - kitchen boss - supervising the food preparation for 600 guests at the Fourth Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser held at in Reston. 

“I got to put my feet up earlier today," said Amato. " So now it’s time to go back to work."

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One hundred Giving Circle of Hope members volunteered for an evening that historically raises close to $20,000, said event chair Cathy Waters.   

Four years ago, Giving Circle members chose the largest, non-profit distributor of free food to those in need in Northern Virginia, Food for Others, to receive the event’s proceeds.  In 2010, Food for Others distributed 350,000 pounds of food though churches, homeless shelters and community centers across Northern Virginia. 

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Empty Bowls was started by a high school art teacher in Michigan in 1990.  Events are now held across the country, bringing together artists, business and members of the local community to raise awareness and funds to alleviate hunger.

Guests make a donation, eat soup and then keep a bowl of their choice — donated by Northern Virginia potters — to serve as a reminder that there are “empty bowls’ in our neighborhoods.

More than 75 Brownies and Girl Scouts from Reston, Herndon, Oak Hill and McLean volunteered at the dessert table, passed out programs and served cold drinks. 

Lisa and Hill Montague, longtime Reston residents, volunteered giving out the bowls.  Guests made several passes around the tables to find the “perfect” one. 

Local musicians provided background dinner music while the church hall wafted with smells of simmering soups. 

Ridge Loux, Giving Circle member, who also attended Best of Reston Thursday night, washed dishes. 

“Good thing I don’t have my suit on,”  Loux said. 

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