18-05-2025
Henderson Co. community meal event helps children, supports artists
FLAT ROCK, N.C. (WSPA) — A community meal event happening Sunday in Flat Rock is helping fight childhood hunger, all while supporting local ceramicists.
For eight years, the Empty Bowls community meal at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness has helped benefit the Flat Rock Backpack Program.
The nonprofit program got its start in 2008, when the church learned that Henderson County schoolchildren were going without food during the weekends. The church partnered with MANNA FoodBank in Asheville to get the program rolling.
Program coordinator, Debby Staton, said Hurricane Helene has had a lasting impact on the program.
'Hurricane Helene dealt a major blow to our area,' she said. 'All of our support system—the potters, food vendors, and sponsors—were all impacted, as was MANNA FoodBank, our main source of food for the Flat Rock Backpack Program.'
The program, church leaders said, helps feed more than 150 children across eight Henderson County schools each week.
'Needless to say, the students we serve were also affected,' Staton continued. 'We are deeply appreciative of our community who keep us on their radar, always willing to pitch in as we continue meeting the needs of those who are 'food insecure.''
Each meal ticket comes a handmade bowl created by local potters, soups and breads donated by nearby restaurants and cookies made by church members. Two mealtimes are scheduled for Sunday's event: the first from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and the second from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Takeaway, organizers said, is also an option.
Tickets are $30 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12 years of age.
Though the ticket pre-sale closed Friday at 4 p.m., limited tickets may be available at the venue located Parish Hall at 1905 Greenville Highway, across the street from the main church building.
Donations are accepted at any time, and can be mailed to Flack Rock Backpack Program c/o St. John in the Wilderness PO Box 185, Flat Rock, NC 28731.
Event organizers said the expect to raise $20,000 at Sunday's event.
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