By David Fritz, past president, Lee’s Summit Sunrise Rotary Club, Missouri, USA
What began as a small idea proposed by Bernell Rice of the Lee’s Summit Sunrise Rotary Club, back in 2007 — a fun, charitable event supporting a single beneficiary — has grown into one of our community’s most impactful traditions. The initial idea was wholeheartedly supported by the members of Sunrise Rotary and, with a continued commitment over the years, the Empty Bowls event has evolved in purpose, scale, and reach.
But its heart has always remained the same: bringing people together to help neighbors in need, a great example of the good that Rotary does.
Humble beginnings
I wasn’t a part of Rotary in those early years. But the effort gradually built momentum little by little. In 2014, Lee’s Summit Social Services was added as a beneficiary, to assist more people in our community. By 2018, about a year after I joined Lee’s Summit Sunrise Rotary, the event was generating $15,000 — an important milestone that reflected the dedication of everyone who believed in this effort.
New identity and expanded mission
Everything shifted in 2019 when I suggested rebranding the event to “Feed Lee’s Summit” and expanding it to serve two additional beneficiary organizations, Meals on Wheels and Coldwater of Lee’s Summit. While there may have been a small amount of skepticism and worry that we might negatively impact the organizations we already were committed to, I was convinced we could raise more money and expand our impact, filling more gaps, as Rotarians do.
With the support of Sunrise Rotary’s founding members, broader community engagement, and a renewed vision, proceeds tripled to $45,000. The mission was growing, and so was our impact. Mission accomplished in our first year!
Navigating the challenges of 2020
The arrival of the pandemic brought challenges I never would have anticipated. When federal, state and local guidelines prohibited us from meeting in person and similar events across the country were cancelled, we knew converting to a virtual, live-streamed event was necessary because we needed to generate funds for those in need.
We spent several meetings just talking through how to make this happen because a live-streamed event was something we had zero experience with. In fact, hardly anyone did!
Fortunately, through a fellow Rotarian, we discovered a local partner, Strange Music, who let us use their brand-new recording studio at no cost and they provided some much-needed guidance and assistance. It was a challenging exercise, and we worried about whether people would join us online, but we figured it out — and they did. Our supporters came through — proving that commitment to community doesn’t fade in difficult times.
Strength in partnership
Momentum grew again in 2021, when at my recommendation, Sunrise Rotary reached out to the Lee’s Summit Rotary Club and the Downtown Lee’s Summit Rotary Club asking them to partner with us for the event, strengthening both our capacity and our reach. Together, we continued to build a foundation for long-term success.
We have been fortunate to have many wonderful community business partners who have stood by our side consistently over the years, including Unity World Headquarters, Saint Luke’s of Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Flooring & More, First Business Bank, Great Southern Bank, and Gale Communities. In addition, we have a number of individuals in the community who have generously given year in and year out.
We would also be remiss if we didn’t recognize our five beneficiaries: Boost4Success, Coldwater, Lee’s Summit Social Services, Meals on Wheels, and One Good Meal. All of them contribute to our success by bringing supporters, donating silent auction items, and providing volunteers for the event. They are each fully invested in the event’s success.
And, of course, none of this would be possible without the ongoing commitment and support from Rotarians in the Lee’s Summit community.
Record-breaking years
By 2023, the event reached its highest level to that point: $165,000 in proceeds. This remarkable year was boosted in part by a one-time $25,000 donation and marked another milestone — the addition of Boost4Success as our fifth beneficiary. With increased support came broader services and deeper community impact.
After a slight dip in 2024, the event showed its resilience this year. Unity World Headquarters joined us as a partner as they have a shared vision in ensuring no one goes hungry. In addition, the community rallied once again —especially in light of SNAP benefits being on hold — helping raise an impressive $220,000 to be shared among the five beneficiary organizations. It was our strongest year yet and a powerful reminder of what can happen when people come together with purpose. We hit another huge milestone! Since 2007, Empty Bowls/Feed Lee’s Summit has raised more than $1 million to fight food insecurity in our community!
Looking ahead
The growth of the gala since humble beginnings in 2007 is a testament to the spirit of this community. Every donor, volunteer, sponsor, and attendee has helped write this story. This video shows the spirit generated by the gala as beneficiaries serve their clients.
As I look to the future, one thing is certain: the impact of this event will continue to grow — because the heart of Rotarians and this community have never been stronger. I couldn’t be happier to be a member of the Lee’s Summit Sunrise Rotary Club, “The Little Club that Does”!
David Fritz is the 2025 co-chair of Feed Lee’s Summit, a past assistant governor in District 6040, and the 2021-2022 president of Lee’s Summit Sunrise Rotary.
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/12/12/lees-summit-rotary-clubs-fight-food-insecurity/