Hoosier Hills Food Bank will have its 15th annual Soup Bowl Benefit 5 p.m. Sunday at the Monroe County Convention Center.
The money is especially needed this year, as the current recession has caused a sharp increase in the number of people who can no longer afford to buy food without assistance.
“It is increasing significantly,” said Julio Alonso, executive director of Hoosier Hills, referring to the number of people going to charitable agencies to buy food. “We don’t work with individual people, but the agencies are serving more and more people, and they need more food.”
The food bank depends on the benefit to raise the majority of its money.
This money will be used to buy excess or damaged foods, which will then be distributed to about 100 charitable organizations across several counties in southern Indiana.
This year, volunteers hope to raise more than $70,000 to match the $74,000 earned in 2008.
Tickets are $25 and are available at all three Bloomingfoods locations, Yarns Unlimited and the food bank. Those who attend the benefit will receive a bowl handmade by a local artist and soup donated by several local restaurants.
“The corporate sponsors have been very good,” Alonso said. “We had a couple (that) have had to be reduced, but we picked up a few as well. We expect to sell out of tickets by Sunday. So far we’ve been very lucky.”
The money is especially needed this year, as the current recession has caused a sharp increase in the number of people who can no longer afford to buy food without assistance.
“It is increasing significantly,” said Julio Alonso, executive director of Hoosier Hills, referring to the number of people going to charitable agencies to buy food. “We don’t work with individual people, but the agencies are serving more and more people, and they need more food.”
The food bank depends on the benefit to raise the majority of its money.
This money will be used to buy excess or damaged foods, which will then be distributed to about 100 charitable organizations across several counties in southern Indiana.
This year, volunteers hope to raise more than $70,000 to match the $74,000 earned in 2008.
Tickets are $25 and are available at all three Bloomingfoods locations, Yarns Unlimited and the food bank. Those who attend the benefit will receive a bowl handmade by a local artist and soup donated by several local restaurants.
“The corporate sponsors have been very good,” Alonso said. “We had a couple (that) have had to be reduced, but we picked up a few as well. We expect to sell out of tickets by Sunday. So far we’ve been very lucky.”
