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Resources24th Annual Empty Bowls
Monday, October 19, 2026
10:00am – 5:00pm
Mission / AB Tech Conference Center
16 Fernihurst Drive
Asheville, NC 28801
About the Event
A fusion of creativity and compassion, MANNA FoodBank’s annual Empty Bowls event serves as a poignant reminder that, while art has the power to uplift and inspire, it can also serve as a platform for raising awareness about the very real problem of hunger across our mountains. Guests select a bowl handmade by local artisans and take with them a seasonal meal of delicious soups, breads, and dessert. The souvenir bowl that guests take home reminds them of the many WNC neighbors that are currently struggling to afford groceries.
Almost every part of the event is donated, including the amazing food, local pottery, and art. This allows MANNA to use event proceeds for our critical food distribution programs, which are currently reaching 200,000 food insecure neighbors every month across our 16-county service area. 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.
What To Expect:
MANNA hosts its annual Empty Bowls event in a walk-through format. Guests choose a one-hour time window that best suits their schedule, then arrive during that time window to select their bowl, choose their soups, and pick up bread + dessert. Guests can choose a one-hour time window any time between 10 AM and 5 PM, and can arrive any time during their chosen one-hour window. There is limited seating available for those who would like to enjoy their meal in person.
Tickets: $60 (includes your choice of one souvenir pottery bowl handmade by a local artist, your choice of three soups/stews/chowders packaged to go, and bread + dessert packaged to go). Every ticket sold helps MANNA provide food for 96 MEALS for neighbors across our mountains.
Join us for this year's Empty Bowls
Collector’s Corner
In addition to the souvenir soup bowls that ticket holders select, guests may purchase special works of high-end craft and art at the Collector’s Corner. Collector’s Corner items are both functional and gallery-quality pieces selected by the artists. 100% of the proceeds from Collector’s Corner sales go directly to supporting MANNA’s mission of ending hunger in WNC. The public is invited to shop the Collector’s Corner, even if they are not able to attend the Empty Bowls event.
Featured Artists – The Creative Heart 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:
Erika Arroyo,
The Laughing Potter
Denise Baker,
Denise Baker Pottery
John Britt,
John Britt Pottery
Eirene Burnette,
IyaBlu’ Inc.
Honey Burrell,
Dancing Leaves Pottery
Julie Calhoun-Roepnack,
JCR Designs
Annie Clingenpeel
Tisha Cook,
Odyssey ClayWorks
Mike and Hilary Hatch,
Crucible Glass Works
Jerry Edminson
Ron “Grumpy” Edwards
Paul Frehe,
Odyssey ClayWorks
Terri Friday,
Terri Friday Pottery
Karen Frye, Butler Mountain Crafts
Barbara Gerber
Paul Gisondo
Givens Estate,
Givens Estate Pottery Studio
KC Hart, White Stag Woods
Anne Jerman,
Dragonfly Studio
Sue Salvaterra Hintz,
Salvaterra Pottery
Elaine Karpen,
Reems Creek Pottery
Robin Katz
Laura Kaufman,
Mud High Pottery
Steve Kearns,
Homeplate Pottery
Bobbie Kelston, Lighten Up Designs
Gabriel Kline and The Odyssey Artists Community,
Odyssey ClayWorks
Elfy Kornfeld,
Elfy Kornfeld Pottery
Elaine Lacy,
Under The Oaks Pottery
Beth and Rob Mangum,
Mangum Pottery
Jim McDowell,
The Black Potter
Robert Milnes,
Robert Milnes Studio
Peg Morar,
Peg Morar Pottery
Shirl and Jim Parmentier,
Parmentier Pottery
Joan Pennington,
Mud Addict
Rhona Polonsky,
Rhona Polonsky Pottery
Diane Puckett,
Dry Ridge Pottery
Carolina Rojas,
Cariku Art Lab
Tia Sculpt,
Tia Sculpt Ceramics
Rachel Smith,
Pottery by Rachel at Reems Creek Pottery
Marianne Soufas,
Marianne Soufas Pottery
Lori Theriault,
Crazy Green Studios
Helen Wiltsey, Helen Earth Studio
Culinary Partners – Filling Hearts and Bellies for Over 20 Years:
MANNA’s partnership with the Asheville-area’s celebrated culinary industry plays an important part in the success of our annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. These dedicated partners put their heart into feeding our community all year long, and Empty Bowls is no exception. This year’s guests will enjoy a variety of flavorful, hearty soups, stews, and bisques, made-from-scratch breads and biscuits, and delicious desserts. We are grateful for this year’s participating chefs and bakers (and please check back as more will be added):
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Join us for this year's Empty Bowls
Our Sponsors – Partners in The Work of Ending Hunger
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.
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Event Support Partners
Join Us for Empty Bowls 2026
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