Volunteers from the Women’s Club of Fullerton, Meals on Wheels Fullerton, St. Paul Lutheran Church, and National Charity League stand behind a display of hand-crafted ceramic bowls created by students from El Dorado High School during the Empty Bowls fundraiser at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The event brought the community together to raise funds to support homebound Fullerton residents.

More than 93 community members gathered at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 7, for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, raising over $2,800 to support Meals on Wheels Fullerton and its mission to feed homebound residents.

After more than a decade of leadership by St. Paul congregants—following the event’s founding in 2014 by Carol Pankow with support from Meals on Wheels—the tradition has been passed to the Women’s Club of Fullerton (WCOF). This year marked the club’s first time hosting the beloved community event.

Attendees and volunteers gather in the fellowship hall at St. Paul Lutheran Church, sharing conversation and community after enjoying soup, bread, and dessert during the Empty Bowls fundraiser, which raised more than $2,800, including a generous $500 check from Ocean Subaru of Fullerton for Meals on Wheels Fullerton.

Guests enjoyed a simple yet meaningful meal of their choice of five soups, with refills, along with rolls and dessert. Participating restaurants included Fratallino’s, Les Amis, Rutabegorz, Mulberry Street Ristorante, and B&C Burgers, all of which generously donated their soups. Each attendee also received a hand-crafted ceramic bowl to take home, created by students from El Dorado High School, Esperanza High School, Valencia High School, and OLLI students—a tangible reminder of their contribution to fighting hunger. Student volunteers from the National Charity League assisted in serving soup alongside members of the WCOF and Meals on Wheels volunteers.

The warm, welcoming fellowship hall at St. Paul created a cozy atmosphere that fostered connection and community. Attendees lingered over their meals, returning for seconds and sharing conversation with neighbors and volunteers alike.

“The energy and sense of community during the event matched all the love and care that everyone involved provided,” said Carla Jones, President of WCOF. “Folks lingered, talked, and laughed with the volunteers. I hope many people will make a point of enjoying this special event in the coming years.”

In addition to more than $2,300 raised through ticket sales, the event received a generous $500 donation from Ocean Subaru of Fullerton.

Empty Bowls continues to symbolize the basic nourishment that Meals on Wheels volunteers provide daily to those in need. With the support of dedicated community partners and volunteers, WCOF looks forward to continuing this meaningful tradition for years to come.

Members of the Women’s Club of Fullerton present a $500 donation from Ocean Subaru of Fullerton to Meals on Wheels Fullerton, with hand-crafted ceramic bowls created by students from El Dorado High School in the foreground symbolizing the Empty Bowls event’s mission to help feed those in need.