CELTS has a long-standing relationship with the Berea Food Bank, working together to support the community and address food insecurity. Every year, CELTS hosts 2 events to support the food bank- Better Together 5k race in the fall, and Empty Bowls fundraiser in the spring. These events are largely student-led with staff mentorship and support, allowing CELTS students the opportunities to put theory to practice.
What is Empty Bowls?
Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement by artists and craftspeople in cities and towns around the world to raise money for food-related charities to care for and feed the hungry in their communities.
Empty Bowls supports food-related charitable organizations around the world and has raised millions of dollars to help end hunger. All of Empty Bowls events proceeds will go towards Berea Food Bank, a part of Berea Faith Community Outreach (BFCO).
2027 Empty Bowls
Details coming soon!
Past Empty Bowls events
President Nixon attending the 21st annual Empty Bowls Hunger Initiative→
Dr. Nixon next to CELTS Service-Learning team- Syakira Wijaya, Noah Vargas, and Rilie Ledford-holding hand-crafted bowls
What is Better Together?
The Better Together 5K and Dash was created out of necessity. For over thirty years, CELTS has partnered with the Berea Food Bank to support Bereans and their families in need of a little help.
This annual event – formerly known as the Hunger Hurts Food or Fund Drive - is celebrating its 34th anniversary. When the pandemic hit in 2020, our two organizations (CELTS and Berea Community Faith Outreach) met to transform the food drive into something that would survive and thrive. It was an opportunity to create a new community event, bringing together the staff and students of the college campus, the greater Berea community, and all who care about the people in our beautiful city. Beginning in 2022, the Better Together 5K was born.
