ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – During the 20th annual Empty Bowls To-Go, Channel One Regional Food Bank and Think Bank worked together to raise $90,000.

Empty Bowls To-Go was created to provide take-out soups and breads, prepared at five Rochester restaurants, to those who may not know where their next meal will come from.

“We are so grateful for the outpouring of community support for this event,” said Wirginia Witherspoon, executive director of Channel One Regional Food Bank. “Channel One relies on fundraising events like Empty Bowls To-Go to meet this increased need to continue providing fresh, healthy food to our neighbors facing food insecurity.”

According to Channel One, the needs have increased compared to last year.

In 2023, Channel One welcomed an average of 300 new households per month. In July 2024, more than 500 new households were welcomed.

In Channel One’s 14-county region, there was a 37% increase in monthly household visits in the first half of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

For comparison, the first half of 2024 saw an 82% increase in monthly household visits compared to the first half of 2022, according to Channel One.

Channel One says funds raised through the 2024 Empty Bowls To-Go initiative – which equates to approximately 224,500 meals – will support its mission to increase access to food and build healthy communities across the South eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

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