Find Food
Get Involved
Get to Know Us
Resources2026 Event Date and Details Coming Soon!
About the Event
Guests select a bowl handmade by local artisans and take with them a seasonal meal of delicious soups, breads, and dessert. Almost every part of the event is donated, allowing MANNA to use event proceeds for our critical food distribution programs, which are currently reaching 190,000 food insecure neighbors every month across our 16-county service area, including the Qualla Boundary. Since 2002, the collective generosity of our Empty Bowls guests, potters, sponsors, culinary partners, and everyone who has ever had a hand in the event, has allowed MANNA to provide the equivalent of 3.9 MILLION MEALS across Western North Carolina.
Our Featured Artists: The Backbone of Empty Bowls
It takes many talented artists thousands of hours to craft the bowls that are the namesake, the heart of, and the takeaway from MANNA’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. MANNA is fortunate to have incredible support from experienced potters and ceramic artists who help create the vibrant arts and crafts community in Western North Carolina. The bowls our guests take home are beautiful, functional pieces of art that become treasured keepsakes. Here are some of the potters whose works you’ll find at Empty Bowls from year to year:
| Erika Arroyo, The Laughing Potter Denise Baker, John Britt, Eirene Burnette, Honey Burrell, Julie Calhoun-Roepnack, Annie Clingenpeel Tisha Cook, Mike and Hilary Hatch, Ron “Grumpy” Edwards Paul Frehe, Terri Friday, Karen Frye, Butler Mountain Crafts Barbara Gerber Paul Gisondo Givens Estate, KC Hart, White Stag Woods Anne Jerman, Sue Salvaterra Hintz, Elaine Karpen, | Robin Katz Laura Kaufman, Steve Kearns, Bobbie Kelston, Lighten Up Designs Gabriel Kline and The Odyssey Artists Community, Elfy Kornfeld, Elaine Lacy, Beth and Rob Mangum, Jim McDowell, Robert Milnes, Peg Morar, Shirl and Jim Parmentier, Joan Pennington, Rhona Polonsky, Diane Puckett, Carolina Rojas, Tia Sculpt, Rachel Smith, Marianne Soufas, Lori Theriault, Helen Wiltsey, Helen Earth Studio |
2025 Event Sponsors
MANNA deeply appreciates the support of our Empty Bowls sponsors. These sponsors share our vision of a hunger-free WNC, and are investing in that vision through their support of Empty Bowls.
Premier Platinum
Platinum
Gold
Copper
Change Starts With Staying Informed
Sign up to get MANNA news, impact stories, and simple ways to make a difference.