WILLIAMSPORT -- People in Williamsport braved the cold and warmed up with a bowl of soup today thanks to Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
The non-profit held its 9th annual Soup and a Bowl event where funds raised in Williamsport help feed the hungry in the community.
The line for a hot bowl of soup was long and winding at Genetti's in Williamsport.
“It’s packed."
The line actually starts here, where nearly 400 people including Lisa Lytle picked out a donated ceramic bowl at Central Pennsylvania Food Bank's 9th annual Soup and a Bowl event. It's the non-profit's biggest fundraiser of the year.
"When you walk in to see all these bowls that are empty bowl and then you realize how many people actually have empty bowls," said Lytle.
"It's an event that not only warms your body but your heart," said Jamie Caputo.
So while people are filling up, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank's, Jamie Caputo hopes people know there are some who not as fortunate.
"There are people that are in our neighborhoods that are struggling to fill their bowls," said Caputo.
It's not a bowl but a plate that has plenty of food on it thanks to donations from the Central PA Food Bank. At Sojourner Truth Ministries on High Street, dozens of people get help thanks to those donations.
"Full plate of rice, roll and some meat," said Keith Miles from Williamsport.
"If it wasn't for this place I don' know where I would be,"
Sojourner Truth Ministries serves about 70 people a day including Keith Miles from Williamsport.
"That's good they come and give it back to people that help people they need to. Everybody's not poor they are just struggling,” said Miles.
"It helps us out so much we wouldn't really make it if we didn't have the food bank," said Pastor Velinda Webb Smith.
This year Central PA Food Bank hopes to raise nearly $20,000 from its annual event in Williamsport.