UW-River Falls Bowls for Hope event raises $6,000 for ARC

March 30, 2016 -- The seventh annual Bowls for Hope event held March 8 raised $6,000 for the Assistance and Resource Center, Inc. (ARC) of River Falls. Each year, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls works with the community to raise funds through Bowls for Hope for a worthy organization that makes a difference in the St. Croix Valley.

At the event, guests voted for their favorite soup of the evening and the winner of the People's Choice Award was the Roasted Red Pepper and Pumpkin Bisque from The West Wind Supper Club. Restaurant owners and chefs also voted for their favorite soup of the evening. The winner of the Chef's Choice Award was the Spicy Sausage and Potato Soup from Kilkarney Hills.

"The board members of ARC are incredibly honored and humbled to be this year's Bowls for Hope recipient," said Paige Miller, a grant writer and ARC board member. "More than the provision of financial assistance to families and individuals in need, ARC's vision is to create, at some small level, both a greater sense of dignity and hope for those we directly serve and also solidarity in the community at large. We know, however, that we couldn't do the work we do without the support of a variety of agencies and fundraisers--like Bowls for Hope."

ARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2008 to provide short-term financial assistance to families of the River Falls and Ellsworth school districts to help meet basic needs and provide access to additional resources. ARC believes that "we are a community of neighbors who should care for one another in times of need." Out of every dollar raised, 96 cents goes to serve those in need.

To date, Bowls for Hope has raised more than $40,000 for local charitable organizations.

For more information about the event, email mary.vangalen@uwrf.edu or visit www.uwrf.edu/bowlsforhope.