Guests step into the heart of the mission at a bold, immersive event that prioritizes impact over tradition.

South County Outreach (SCO) transformed expectations for traditional fundraising events with its 2025 Empty Bowls: Setting the Table for Change event, held April 10 on SCO’s own campus. Rather than choosing a typical ballroom setting, the nonprofit invited guests into its home — offering a more casual, backyard BBQ-style atmosphere that felt true to the heart of the organization. The result was an evening that traded formality for authenticity, bringing supporters closer to the mission through immersive experiences, personal storytelling, and a shared sense of community.

Attendees were welcomed into a uniquely immersive experience where the lines between host and guest blurred. Visitors toured SCO’s redesigned grocery-style food market, participated in interactive exhibits, and engaged with powerful client stories that offered an intimate view into the real lives touched by the organization.

“This year’s Empty Bowls wasn’t about centerpieces or auctions,” said LaVal Brewer, President & CEO of South County Outreach. “It was about bringing people closer to the mission — into our space, into the stories, and into the solutions. We didn’t just want people to attend — we wanted them to take part.”

In place of a paddle raise or live auction, guests received “commitment cards” at the start of the evening. These were completed at the close of the programming, encouraging attendees to pledge their support in personalized ways — from volunteering and hosting food drives to workplace giving and donations. The goal was to demonstrate that everyone has something to contribute to the movement to end hunger and homelessness.

View 2025 Event photos HERE

A Living Room. A Kitchen. A Movement.

Three interactive areas brought the experience to life:

• The Living Room invited guests to sit with real stories of transformation. Through photos and testimonials, attendees reflected on journeys of strength and resilience from community members like Claudia, Travis and Elmira, and Michelle — each representing a different facet of need and hope.

• The Kitchen, located inside SCO’s client-choice food market, offered a one-of-a-kind activation led by Chef Winnie Yee of Smoke Queen BBQ. In a live “Chopped Challenge,” Chef Winnie created a custom dish using surprise ingredients sourced directly from the pantry shelves—showcasing the healthy, high-quality items available to clients and proving that nourishing meals are within reach, even during hard times.

• The Price is Right Game offered a hands-on look at the financial challenges many families face, challenging guests to understand just how quickly a stable life can become unstable—and how SCO’s prevention programs provide a safety net.

Bringing the Mission Home

By hosting Empty Bowls on-site, SCO embraced a model of radical transparency — one that allowed guests to see exactly where their support goes. It was a bold move that sparked meaningful conversations and empowered new commitments from community members, civic leaders, and local businesses.

Generous sponsorships from Lennar Homes, Banc of California, Capital Group Companies, Mission Lutheran Church, PSQ Productions, Farmers & Merchants Bank, In-N-Out Burgers, MemorialCare, PNC Financial Services, Sacred Harvest, Stifel, Holland & Knight LLP, Verity CPA, Poppy Bank, The Bowen Team, Easy Fleet GPS, Your Part Time Controller, and LifeSpring Home Nutrition helped make Empty Bowls 2025 possible.

For over 30 years, South County Outreach has been a vital resource in Orange County—offering food, housing assistance, and educational support to help neighbors build self-sufficient, stable futures.

For more information about how you can get involved with South County Outreach please contact Lauren Ruiz at lruiz@sco-oc.org or call at (949) 687-2410.

Sources: 1) https://www.globest.com/2024/10/23/orange-county-apartment-rents-keep-rising  2) https://www.rentdata.org/santa-ana-anaheim-irvine-ca-hud-metro-fmr-area/2024  3) https://www.irvinecompanyapartments.com/rental-living/average-cost-of-apartment-utilities/  4) https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/1ikax17/average_water_bill/ 5) https://www.fns.usda.gov/research/cnpp/usda-food-plans/cost-food-monthly-reports 6) https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-07-02/security-deposits-capped-at-one-months-rent  7) https://www.rentspree.com/blog/guide-to-california-rental-application-fees  8) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/saving-money-emergency-expenses-2025/  9) https://www.pulte.com/blog/cost-of-living-in-orange-county