CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Caring for Kids (CCK) on Thursday afternoon learned the final total and received the proceeds from the 17th Annual Empty Bowls of Cullman County Chili Dinner, which took place Feb. 17: a whopping $24,000!
Empty Bowls event founder and coordinator Tanya Shearer presented CCK Executive Director Javon Daniel the check- the most the event has ever raised for the CCK food bank. In years past, Empty Bowls has raised between $14,000-$16,000 for the organization’s food bank.
Daniel was ecstatic, exclaiming, “$24,000! That is awesome! This is incredible! This is the most Empty Bowls has ever raised! The food was great! Fellowship was great! Entertainment was great and Bobby Nolen, I can’t say enough about his chili!”
Daniel said the donation will potentially help the food bank get through the summer months and maybe into fall. CCK serves on average 650 families a month, providing 15 tons of food per month.
Empty Bowls Committee Member Martha Burchell shared, “This was my first year to participate in anything other than just helping the carryout last year, but I kind of think that this is what God put in my heart that he would bless the work of our hands, and he did.”
Afterward, Daniel told The Tribune his feelings on the outstanding results.
“I’d be jumping up and down and screaming if I didn’t have a little decorum!” he smiled. “This is incredible! I mean, God took care of it, he did it, and we’re blessed! This community is just full of people that care and there’s no way in the world that we could ever do it without the help of this community. I can tell you this committee, all the volunteers, all the people that helped and contributed, just totally blows me away, but I like to be blown away!”
CCK Assistant Director Nancy added simply with a smile, “We’re good!”
Including this year, Empty Bowls has raised approximately $149,000 for CCK since 2003.
Copyright 2020 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
