Empty Bowls serves up support for ECHO

By Camille DeVaul · Fri May 01 2026

Annual fundraiser brings in nearly $100,000 for shelters, outreach, and prevention programs

PASO ROBLES — Community members gathered in Paso Robles on Wednesday, April 22, for ECHO’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, raising nearly $100,000 to support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Hosted at Studios on the Park, the sold-out event provided critical funding for El Camino Homeless Organization’s (ECHO) programs, including its 130-bed, 90-day emergency shelter, outreach efforts and homelessness prevention services.

"It's the third time we've had [Empty Bowls] here in Paso Robles, and we're at the most beautiful venue, Studios on the Park," Wendy Lewis, CEO of ECHO, told Paso Robles Press at the event. "They donate the space and help the event be successful. We're raising funds to provide the critical resources that the group does, those resources that really change lives for the better, and help people on a pathway back into housing."

So far in 2026, ECHO has helped more than 100 individuals and families secure and maintain stable housing. Through comprehensive services such as case management, financial literacy, workforce training, and individualized support, the organization works to address the root causes of homelessness.

ECHO currently operates two shelters — a 70-bed facility in Paso Robles and a 60-bed shelter in Atascadero — and is in the process of expanding services with a new family wing in Atascadero that will add 30 additional beds.

“We could not do the work we do at ECHO without the incredible support of our community,” said Lewis. “The funds raised are a powerful reflection of our community’s commitment to caring for our unhoused neighbors. Because of their support, individuals and families have a safe place to sleep, the stability to begin again, and a tangible pathway back into housing. Thank you for helping change lives every single day.”

The Empty Bowls event featured handcrafted bowls created by local students and artists, along with soups, breads and desserts donated by area restaurants and businesses. Participating contributors included Allegretto, Ancient Peaks Winery, McPhee’s Grill, Sylvester’s Burgers, The Hatch and Wild Fields Brewhouse, among others.

Attendees selected a handmade bowl to keep, symbolizing both the need in the community and the role they play in helping fill it.

Among the event’s speakers was Marcella Ramirez, who shared her personal journey from homelessness to stability through ECHO’s programs.

"It's been a little roller coaster, but it's going good and I'm stable and housed and grateful," Ramirez shared with Paso Robles Press.

Ramirez also shared with Paso Robles Press that she encourages others facing similar challenges to remain committed to the process.

"Stick with the program, don't give up, because sometimes it gets a little overwhelming. They're there to help you, to help the people in the community," Ramirez said. "At times they may seem that they don't help, but really ECHO's been a big help in my life and my son's life. So I just say keep doing what they're doing and staying on track and letting ECHO help them."

Her story was echoed by ECHO Development Manager Stephanie Potter, who has worked with the organization for four years and witnessed Ramirez’s determination firsthand.

"Without fail, every single morning, Marcella was awake at 4 a.m. in her scrubs, ready to go to work," Potter said. "She would prepare breakfast for her family and make them lunch, and then load them all up into her car and take them to school and go to work, and she did that every single day, without fail. But on top of that, [she has] been going through so much hardship. She was always so joyful and such a light to not only the staff, but to all of the other people there, she's always been such an encouragement."

Community partnerships also played a vital role in the event’s success. Local businesses, volunteers and donors contributed not only food and resources, but thousands of hours of service that help ECHO operate efficiently.

"Our volunteers are one of the core pieces to what helps ECHO, provide such efficient, cost effective services, because our volunteers make up hundreds of hours for us annually, and we have a network of thousands, and their effort saves an end budget, about $1.5 million," Lewis shared.

She also emphasized that homelessness can affect a wide range of individuals, noting an increase in families with children and seniors seeking assistance. The organization currently has about 300 people on its waitlist.

"When you volunteer, you truly get to see that different faces of homelessness than you might imagine, and it, unfortunately, can be one emergency, one car payment, one job loss ... they don't have the safety net in their family or ability to a place to turn. ECHO becomes that place to turn to," she explains.

For more information about ECHO or to get involved, visit echoshelter.org

Feature Image: Marcella Ramirez (left) poses with ECHO Development Manager Stephanie Potter at the ECHO Empty Bowls fundraiser April 22 at Studios in the Park in Paso Robles. Ramirez was a featured speaker at the event, recounting her journey from homelessness to stability with the help of the ECHO programs. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP