The River City Food Bank held its 8th Annual Empty Bowls fundraising dinner Monday at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Sacramento. Two luncheons are scheduled for today.

The events raise awareness about hunger in the Sacramento area and serve as the River City Food Bank's most important fundraiser. The Food Bank building was destroyed in a fire last fall and their fundraising efforts are more urgent than before.

More information about the Empty Bowls events is available in a previous Sacramento Press article.

Event attendees choose from 1,500 hand crafted bowls. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Wine and hors d’oeuvres were served along with gourmet soups. (Image by: Ron Nabity) Image by: Ron Nabity

Several artists exhibit their crafts at the Empty Bowls event. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

For an additional donation, designer bowls were available. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Adrienne Bankert from KCRA-TV was honorary emcee. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Image by: Ron Nabity

Students from Jesuit High School provided table service and sold raffle tickets. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Local artist Chris Efstratis holds one of his sculptures. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Board Supervisor Don Nottoli was one of the honorary servers who distributed soup. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Image by: Ron Nabity

Phil Serna, Board Supervisor, helps serve soup to guests at the Empty Bowls event. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Approximately 400 people attended Monday evening's event at the Masonic Lodge. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Image by: Ron Nabity

River City Food Bank Executive Director Eileen Thomas. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Image by: Ron Nabity

Helen, Mary and Liz from Sacramento. This was Helen's sixth time at Empty Bowls; Mary and Liz attended for their first time. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Patty Rouas from Piatti Ristorante (left) and Susan Timmer, River City Food Bank Board President (Image by: Ron Nabity)

3fold Communications supports River City Food Bank's Rebuild! campaign and Empty Bowls. (Image by: Ron Nabity)

Event Photography by Ron Nabity