Empty Bowls: A Benefit for
Bidwell Riverside Center
We raised over $38,000
to fight poverty and hunger.
On November 1st, we held our second annual Empty Bowls event, to benefit our programs here at Bidwell. In its inaugual year, the event raised around $31,000. This year, we nearly packed the venue, had many attendees who heard the message of Bidwell for the first time, and saw the many familiar faces of our board members, volunteers, and long-time supporters of our programs who all came together to raise more than $38,000! We are so grateful for the support of what we do here at Bidwell Riverside Center.
The funds raised will go to our programs that serve our neighbors who are hungry and living in poverty. In 2017, our Distribution Center, the largest-serving food pantry in the state, served more than 16,000 unduplicated individuals, and our Child Development Center served more than 70 children, most of whom are from families living under the poverty line.

If you missed the event and would like to make a contribution, you can do so here:

We honored St. Paul AME Church's Young People's & Children's Division as our Volunteer of the Year group. The kids, all between ages 8 and 17, volunteer in our Distribution Center one weekend each month, diligently stocking, cleaning, and guiding families through the pantry.
We honored past board member Bret Thies for his unwavering support during his tenure. Bret remains devoted to Bidwell's mission after his 6+ years of service.


We honored United Methodist Women as our Community Partner of the Year, but they're so much more than that. As our founders 125 years ago and strongest supporters to this day, United Methodist Women are truly the cornerstone of Bidwell Riverside Center and the driving force of our mission to serve our neighbors in need.