Two Volunteers Named Sharon Organize Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser

The 10th annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser that benefits food shelves NEAR and PRISM probably wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for Sharon Garber and Sharon Pleimling. The two women started the effort 10 years ago and have remained very active in the event.

No two bowls alike at Empty Bowls

Volunteers make sure the offerings at the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser are unique. The fundraiser supports food shelves NEAR and PRISM.

“It’s definitely something we rely on,” said Alisha Olson, from PRISM. “We are proud to work alongside the Sharons to plan this event and make it bigger and better every year.”

Photo Courtesy Empty Bowls Facebook Page

The Sharons are Sharon Garber and Sharon Pleimling who started working on this fundraiser more than 10 years ago. Both had an interest in the food shelves and in art.

“We started it because we were concerned people in the community would not have enough to eat,” said Sharon Garber.

Empty Bowls was a fundraiser successful elsewhere, so the Sharons were confident it could work here too.

“Once we got working with schools, we reached more people,” remembered Sharon Pleimling. “It got more family friendly because it’s all about bringing kids and talking about hunger.”

The two have become good friends along the way too.

The fundraiser isn’t without challenges. Last year the event brought in almost $24,000 and volunteers are proud of every penny earned.

“I think it’s hard to earn more money out of a community that has a lot of needs,” said Sharon Pleimling. “It’s hard to generate big dollars.”

The Sharons enjoy that the end event is fun and open to all.

“Every age is there and they are having a good time,” said Sharon Garber. “They are getting to know one another and at the end, they are making a difference in the community.”

Want to know more about this year’s Empty Bowls? Click here.

Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Crystal | Golden Valley | New Hope | Plymouth | Robbinsdale