Jeni Hinz, chair of the Empty Bowls program through the Merrill Noon Optimists, announced that the second annual Empty Bowls spaghetti dinner on Oct. 16, 2018 raised $5,665.31, enough to provide 944 weekend meals for children. The program supports Food for Kids through St. Stephens Church and raises awareness of hunger in the community.
Hinz expressed thanks to all sponsors and donors, a complete list being found on the organization’s Facebook page, Merrill Empty Bowls. She singled out major sponsors Shelby Dzwonkowski at Studio 808 and Mark Bares at Les and Jim’s, without whose huge contributions the dinner could not have occurred.
More information regarding the third annual Empty Bowls dinner will be released in the new year.