Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry
Kelly Manfredini, Director of Marketing & Communications
512-303-0033 kelly@bastropfoodpantry.org  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
"20 Years, Countless Bowls, Endless Impact."
Re: Help us spread the word about our 20^th Annual Bastrop Empty Bowl
The Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry invites the community to come out and celebrate 20 years of countless bowls of delicious soup and endless impact. The 20^th Annual Bastrop Empty Bowl will take place on January 25^th from 11:00 am- 1:30 pm at the Bastrop Convention Center. Proceeds from the event help to support the work and mission of the Food Pantry.  
Hunger is on the rise. One in seven Bastrop residents experiences food insecurity—they don’t know where their next meal is coming from. In 2024, the Food Pantry served 5,463 neighbors with emergency and ongoing food and support services and gave out over 400,000 pounds of food. This is the second year in a row that they have served a record-high number of requests for help.
Please help support their efforts to end food insecurity in our community. This popular event provides attendees an opportunity to sample soups, stews, and chilis prepared by some of Bastrop’s best chefs in a “battle of the ladles” for bragging rights. Chef judges will tag “bests” in each category, and attendees will vote for their “fan favorite”. There will be a silent auction that will showcase some of Bastrop’s most talented artists as well as some fun baskets from local businesses and several high-dollar popular raffle items.
 
Tickets are $25 for adults and children over 12 years old and come with a hand-painted bowl from members of our community. Children under 12 are free but they do not receive a hand-painted bowl. Tickets can be purchased now online or at the convention center at the event. They are also asking businesses and neighbors to consider sponsoring the event or donating items for the silent auction (gift cards, home goods, experiences, artwork, or themed baskets). You can find information on how to participate or purchase tickets on their website www.bastropfoodpantry.org/events. Together we can bring an end to hunger in our community!
 
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Time: 11 am-1 pm
Location: Bastrop Convention Center