While this past week saw millions of Americans wishing, hoping and praying for those magical numbers that would result in their collecting a $656-million lottery prize, one of the more realistic and sustained wishes, hopes and prayers is that every family could have a safe and comfortable home, a prosperous and honorable livelihood, and the chance to build a better future.
That is certainly the daily wish, hope and prayer of Family Promise of the East San Fernando Valley, the staff, board and supporters of which gathered for their second annual Empty Bowl fundraiser at the St. Finbar Community Center on March 25.
While the day was dreary and cold outside, inside the center the warmth of bellies filled with hot soup mirrored the warmth of the gathering's spirit of benevolence. Welcomed by the organization's Executive Director Jacqueline White, President Harold Jordan, Vice President and event Chairwoman Mary Adney and Past President Jenny Greene, hundreds of Burbankers perused tables filled with ceramic bowls that had been handcrafted by local artisans from the Burbank Creative Arts Center, McGroarty Art Center and Glendale's Hoover High School Potters. With a bowl selected, they then moved on to the soup line to have it filled with their choice of soups that had been donated by Café Victory, California Pizza Kitchen, Gary Bric's Ramp, Granville Café, Pomodoro and the Riverside Café.
