ECHO Empty Bowls Event to Return April 28

ATASCADERO — El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) is holding its annual Empty Bowls event on Thursday, April 28, at Atascadero Bible Church, 6225 Atascadero Ave. New this year, participants will select their hand-crafted artisan bowl and pick up a meal for four from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the patio of ABC Church. Featuring delectable soups, stews, and chowders from local restaurant chefs and artisan breads from local bakeries, the meal is an easy way to provide dinner and support a good cause. Reprising their role are our local celebrities coming to greet and serve attendees. Each meal includes a choice of 15 plus different soups and bread for a family of four and desserts.

Tickets are available for purchase through the ECHO website at echoshelter.org/events-1 for a family meal serving four people with two artist bowls for $75, and an additional bowl is available for $25. Everyone is encouraged to participate in supporting ECHO and its mission of helping those facing homelessness in our community.

The ECHO Empty Bowls team would like to thank their Founding Sponsor — Howard’s Products, and Presenting Sponsor — Specialty Construction, Inc., for their contribution that makes the event possible.

The participating restaurants this year are:

Street Side Ale House
Odyssey World Café
McPhee’s Grill
Caliwala
Wild Fields
Red Scooter Deli
Pacific Harvest Catering
Renee Family Restaurant
Novo
Dans Grub Shack
Giovanni’s Fish Market
Vic’s Cafe
Pig Iron
Granite Ridge
Brian’s Bread
Back Porch Bakery

ECHO operates two safe and secure overnight shelters in Atascadero and Paso Robles to meet the immediate needs of families and individuals who have become homeless. With ECHO Atascadero’s unique residency program, clients are provided case management services to assist them in securing a job and finding permanent and sustainable housing within three months of entering the shelter program. While enrolled in the program, clients are taught life skills for employment, budgeting, health care management, and social communication and interaction. The goal and the result of this practical support is the empowerment of residents to move in a positive direction while assisting them in acquiring the skills and services they need to become self-sustaining, including secure housing.

A force of 1,500 community volunteers provides ancillary support to run the facilities and meal programs at each location serving over 140 meals each evening to shelter residents and the homeless population.

For more information, please visit our website at echoshelter.org.