2025 Empty Bowls Fundraiser

The second annual Empty Bowls soup supper will be held on Sat., Nov. 15 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation (2622 Lincoln Way, Ames). Soup will be served in an artist-made bowl that ticket holders get to keep, along with bread, and dessert. Tickets will be $30 when purchased in cash in advance, $35 if purchased online, and if available, $40 at the door. The income from the event will be split among these three organizations:

Backpack Buddies provides food to children from families subject to food insecurity. Gilbert Community School students who need meals over weekends and holidays may participate in this program. No other specific qualifications are required.

The SHOP is a food pantry for Iowa State students whose mission is to engage with anti-hunger advocates and serve the student population by increasing hunger awareness and food security. The SHOP is run by student volunteers, and the food is obtained through donations from a mix of individual, university, and community partners

The Ames Community School District has a central HOPE (Helping Other People Eat) Pantry, a warehouse from which all the buildings are able to draw, including satellite centers at Edwards, Mitchell, and Sawyer Elementaries. These resource are available to all district families in need of finding their next meals and other supplies.

Empty Bowls is a global, grassroots movement that raises money for food-related charities and organizations to fight hunger. Participating artists create and donate bowls, then organizers serve a simple meal. Guests choose a bowl to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. In addition to the pottery being provided by local artists, local restaurants and grocery stores also donate to the project.