The yard of the Sierra Madre United Methodist Church was filled with almost 400 guests choosing their special bowls, bidding on the silent auction, purchasing hand made goods in the boutique and picking out their raffle prizes on April 29th.

This was the 7th Annual Empty Bowls event held by Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley.

All of the proceeds are used to help families experiencing homelessness to regain stable housing and employment.

This is one of the rooms that are set up in the various churches, which feed and house the families.

The wonderful volunteers who served the delicious soup to the hungry guests.

25 student volunteers from Mark Keppel and Rosemead High Schools served the various breads and cookies to each table. They also cleared the tables and set them up for the next guests.

Guests enjoyed their favorite soups along with good conversations, bakery breads and cookies.

Xochitl Hernandez, the Executive Director, welcomed the guests to her first Empty Bowls event.

Karen Robertson, former Acting Executive Director of Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley welcomed everyone to the 7th Annual Empty Bowls. Every child needs a home. We are here to help families find a forever home. She thanked the former families. She thanked the Sierra Madre United Methodist Church and their membership for hosting this event and Cindy. She remembered Fran Garbaccio, the Kitchen Queen, who passed away last year and dedicated herself to this special event. She thanked all of the volunteers for their assistance. She thanked all of the donors and supporters of Family Promise.

She introduced Xochitl Hernandez, the Executive Director and welcomed her to Family Promise. Mrs. Hernandez has a vast experience in charity work.

Xochitl Hernandez said she is happy to join Family Promise. They do help families in need. She thanked Darla Dyson from Senator Anthony Portantino’s office and Christian Daly from Supervision Kathryn Barger’s office for their support. She thanked all of the sponsors for this event She thanked all of the guests for supporting Family Promise.

Classic background music was provided for the guests to enjoy.

Xochitl Hernandez and Barbara Phillips Turner called up the lucky guests to receive their prizes from the silent auction and the raffle prizes.

Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.

EIN 27-0315194

Their website: www.familypromisesgv.org

Their mailing address is 1005 E. Las Tunas Blvd. #525 in San Gabriel CA 91776.