Empty Bowls Fundraiser 

What is Empty Bowls? Empty Bowls began in 1990 as an art class project in a Michigan high school to raise money for a food drive.  Students made ceramic bowls, served a simple meal of soup and bread and asked guests to keep the bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls at meal time around the world. Soon this simple idea morphed into an international project to raise money and awareness for the the fight against hunger.  While everyone puts their own spin on different Empty Bowls events across the globe, a few things must be consistent - 
  • a simple meal of soup and bread must be served
  • a handcrafted bowl must be offered to all guests to serve as a reminder of all the empty bowls at meal time
  • guests make a donation in exchange for the meal and handcrafted bowl
  • all funds raised under the Empty Bowls name, must be used to fight hunger
Here in Polk County, Outreach hosts our Empty Bowls Fundraiser in the fall of the year. We partner with professional potter, Ann Gleason who organizes all the efforts to create, glaze and fire hundreds of handcrafted bowls to be given to each guest. 
Held at Parker-Binns Vineyard the last few years, guests sample soups from 6 local restaurants, enjoy artisan breads from Standing Stone Bakery, live music on the porch and beer and Parker-Binns wines are for sale.  We also have a Silent Art Auction featuring beautiful handcrafted pottery made by local professionals.
Our Empty Bowls event is a wonderful, collaborative, community effort that would not be possible without our artists (including Tryon Arts and Crafts School), volunteers, and business sponsors.  This year's Empty Bowls is brought to you by our business sponsors HomeTrust Bank, Artistry Above and Saluda Outfitters.  Local restaurant sponsors are Larkins Carolina Grill, Lavender Bistro, McGourty's Irish Pub, Southside Smokehouse & Grill, The Purple Onion, The Rural Seed Restaurant and Standing Stone Bakery.
Tickets are $25. Every ticket sold will provide a family with more than one week's worth of food and supports Outreach's mission to provide compassionate assistance to Polk County residents who do not have the resources to provide for their basic needs.
2018 Empty Bowls Fun
Scenes from Outreach's 4th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser held  October 6
Community Make-a-Bowl Event Thank you to everyone who came out to make a bowl in July at Tryon Arts and Crafts School - great turnout and lots of fun!  We made over 100 bowls that will be given away at Empty Bowls on October 6.  We are grateful for all the community support!
A Look Back ... Pics from Empty Bowls 2017