ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) --  With Chemung county limiting mass gatherings due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, Catholic Charities empty bowls luncheon has been made virtual. COVID-19 has caused an even larger need for emergency services from Catholic Charities, so this fundraiser is still imperative.

WENY News spoke with the Executive Director, Nancy Koons Wednesday morning as they have had to make so many changes to this annual event. There will now be a zoom link for participants to join in on, as they will still be able to purchase bowls and will receive a voucher soup from McClure's Deli in Elmira. 

"This annual event supports our emergency services and the needs continue while we can't gather at Elmira College for the annual event, our services are still critically needed. At each of our pantries in Chemung County and Schuyler County we have had each one of those pantries over 3,000 pantry visits just since COVID," says Koons.

As well as supporting their emergency services, this event helps support Catholic Charities community kitchens which have been facing hard times as they are not able to have dine-in service.

"In normal times people are served in the dining room at the Elmira community kitchen, but because of the pandemic, we've had to hand out boxed meals at the door." 

Tickets are $40 per-bowl and their goal is to raise at least $20k this year. This year's event will be held over zoom on October 29th from 12-1 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now and can be found here. 

Koons says she hopes the Empty Bowls virtual event will help bring money towards all of the services they provide.

For more information on this event and to participate yourself, click here.