Sarah Hoffman knew she had a calling for helping others and giving back to the community ever since she started volunteering at the northeast Louisiana food bank.

Hoffman was the organizer of the second annual “Empty Bowls: Benefiting the Food Bank of NELA” whcih took place at Candy Co. warhehouse in downtown Monroe this past weekend.

The charity event brought together local restaurants, artists and musicians who donated food and showcased their talents while also helping raise money for the northeast Louisiana food bank.

Hoffman said that the event was “all about the spirit of fighting hunger.”

Through her own past experiences, she understood the struggles of not being able to provide food or feed one’s self.

Tickets were $15 for general admission and food or $30 for a chance to take home one of the several hundred ceramic bowls donated by local artists.

Tori Gomez, a sophomore secondary education major, first heard of the event through her service organization AmeriCorps where she has been working for a year.

“I appreciate that the event is [not only just] giving back to a local charity, but also has a big outreach and impact in northeast Louisiana,” Gomez said.

The event’s main goal was to raise awareness for hunger while also raising critical funds to provide food assistance to those struggling with hunger locally.

For the second time in a row, Chef Nolan’s catering was one of the many vendors who donated food for the charity event.

“We’ve got to give back to the community, and it doesn’t hurt to give just one Saturday,” Nolan said.

Nolan’s booth was focused on the kids in attendance and served peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, s’mores on a stick, mini corn dogs and a variety of other finger foods.

The event also had poster contests where local young artists like Ansell Jordan displayed their creations.

Jordan first heard of the event on a Facebook group for artists.

“I really enjoy the live music and atmosphere and being able to show off my work at the event while also benefitting a good cause,” Jordan said.

The charity event that raised awareness on hunger while supporting local artists left a huge impression on its first-time attendees.

“I have definitely never been to events like this before, but it definitely won’t be the last time,” said Josh Taliaferro, a sophomore construction management major.

Attendees also got to purchase $5 raffle tickets for a chance to win a handcrafted ceramic fountain.

With the turnout of this year’s event, the