We hosted a well-attended fundraiser for our Homeless Services Program on Sunday, April 24 at Rengstorff Park. It was our first time holding an in-person community-wide event since 2019! The theme of this year’s Empty Bowls was Sundaes on a Sunday. Ice cream provided by Baskin Robbins on Miramonte replaced the traditional soup for the outdoor event. Hobee’s coffee cake and Red Rock coffee rounded out the donated offerings.

Sponsors of the event include LinkedIn, Stanford Healthcare, Compassion Week at LAUMC, Christ Church Los Altos and Ventana School, El Camino Healthcare District, St. Simon Catholic Church, Beth Am, and Dave & Rose Baldwin. We would like to thank all sponsors and attendees.

Homelessness has surged in our community recently, with the number of unhoused clients served by CSA up 30% over last year to nearly 900 as the economic repercussions of the pandemic continue. “Case managers at CSA are working tirelessly to provide services to the growing number of unhoused individuals in this community,” says Director of Homeless Services Janice Bonello. “Having the support of everyone who purchased tickets to the event or donated means the world to us and allows us to continue the critical work we are doing.”

Empty Bowls was started by pottery makers in Michigan to support the unhoused members of their community. Now, Empty Bowls events are nationwide. Since 1991, we have partnered with the Orchard Valley Ceramic Arts Guild to host this event, which is our only fundraiser dedicated specifically to the Homeless Services Program.