RENO, Pa. (EYT) — Empty Bowls, an international hunger awareness and fundraising event, returns to Wanango Golf Club in Reno to benefit Community Services of Venango County.

The 3rd annual Empty Bowls event will be on Monday, March 24, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Wanango Club ballroom. The cost is $15 per ticket and children under 6 are free.

Several local chefs from area restaurants will donate soups and breads, which will be served by volunteers. There will be a silent auction on pottery done by local artists, Frank Rodgers and Kim Mitchell.

“These two artists have made and donated amazing pieces,” Event Coordinator, Cindy Woloszyn said. “They have also received donated pottery pieces from other artists around the country. There is going to be a lot of great art pieces at the event.”

Event participants will be able to bid on various gift-bags during the Chinese Auction and participants will be given keepsake bowls made and decorated by local students in the counties four school districts.

“The bowls made by the local school kids symbolizes the fact that there are empty bowls in our area. Our neighbors are going to bed hungry,” Woloszyn said.

In Venango County, 12.4 percent of residents are termed “food insecure,” according to feedamerica.org, meaning they lack consistent access to adequate food. Community Services of Venango County reaches out to feed children and families in the area. The money raised through the event will be used for Community Service’s two food pantries and towards the organizations programs that aim to help eliminate hunger.

“It is a very fun event. Amazing people from all walks of life come together for a common good,” Woloszyn said.

Tickets can be bought at the door the night of the event or can be purchased before at either the Venango Area or Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

Restaurants participating in the event/donating soup and bread include: AmaZing Foods Catering and Café, Bella Cucina, Mosaic Cafe, Yellow Dog Lantern Restaurant, Barrel House Bistro, Classy Catering, and Wanango Golf Club.

For more information contact Cindy Woloszyn at 814-678-7766.