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Can't make it to Tempe Empty Bowls this year?
There are too many empty bowls in the world.
Please help fill some in Tempe.

•  COVID-19 Statement  •

Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns and restrictions, along with increased requirements to hold a safe event, the all-volunteer Tempe Empty Bowls committee has decided not to hold a 2021 event, and will celebrate our 20th anniversary event in February of 2022. We look forward to seeing you then, and encourage you to continue to support our benefitting nonprofits - United Food Bank and Tempe Community Action Agency - by making a donation at Tempe Community Action Agency.

February 25 & 26, 2022

Tempe Empty Bowls is a free, fun event featuring a beautiful selection of hand-crafted bowls and live entertainment.

Purchase a bowl for a $10 donation and receive a simple meal of soup and bread (symbolic of the caloric intake that must sustain many around the world for an entire day).

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Proceeds Benefit:

Tempe Community Action Agency logo

 United Food Bank logo
21%
Tempe's Poverty Rate
21% of Tempe residents (29% of kids under 18 live in poverty)*
943,000
Meals Were Provided
to Tempe citizens last year by Tempe Community Action Agency*
If we can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger.
- Buzz Aldrin

•  Tempe Community Council Impact Award  •

Tempe Empty Bowls is the 2020 recipient of the Tempe Community Council Impact Award. This award is part of the Don Carlos Humanitarian Award program, and goes to groups or organizations that have made a significant impact on Tempe. The group will receive their award during the Tempe Community Council 37th Annual Don Carlos Humanitarian Awards, which will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 14, 2020.

For more information, visit Tempe Community Council.

Our Story

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The first Tempe Empty Bowls occurred in February 2002 after nearly a year of planning. Founding members of the steering committee were faith organizations interested in acting on their beliefs to care for the hungry. Since that time the steering committee has broadened its base, but has held true to its custom of having a bowl of soup made by a volunteer at every meeting.
Tempe Community Council lent guidance and counsel as the early programs were developed; they brought on board Tempe Union High School District, City of Tempe, Tempe Elementary, and Whole Foods. In 2007 the sponsoring agency became Tempe Community Action Agency which has added vitality and energy to this project. Proceeds from the sale of the bowls is split between TCAA and United Food Bank.
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
- Helen Keller
In 1990 a high school art teacher in Michigan helped his students solve a problem. They were searching for a way to raise funds to support a food drive. What evolved was a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fund raising meal. Guests were served a simple meal of soup and bread, and were invited to keep the bowl as a reminder of hunger in the world.
By the following year the originators had developed this concept into Empty Bowls, a project to provide support for food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations that fight hunger. Since then Empty Bowls events have been held throughout the world, and millions of dollars have been raised to combat hunger.
$25,750
Federal Poverty Level
for a family of four*
56,396
Snacks Provided
by United Food Bank's at-risk afterschool snack programs*
We can't help everyone but...everyone can help someone.
- Dr. Loretta Scott

Events

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Two Opportunities to Support Your Community
Tempe Empty Bowls is a free event held on two days at two locations. Come enjoy the great weather outside and listen to local entertainment. Both dates offer the opportunity to purchase beautiful hand-crafted bowls for a $10 donation. With your donation you will receive a simple meal of soup and bread.
1
6th Street Park
Friday, February 25th
11am - 2pm
East of Mill on 6th Street
Downtown Tempe
Music by Walt Richardson
2
Tempe Library Courtyard
Saturday, February 26th
11am - 2pm
3500 South Rural Road
SW corner of Rural & Southern
Music by Randy Olson and Friends
Peace begins when the hungry are fed.
- Dorothy Day

Our Bowl Contributors

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Special thanks for the countless hours of creativity and hard work in preparation for this event by individual ceramic artists, students and staff at the following:

City of Tempe Ceramics Program

Tempe Union High Schools:
Corona del Sol, Desert Vista, Marcos de Niza, McClintock, Mountain Pointe, Tempe High

Tempe Elementary & Middle Schools:
Aguilar, Arredondo, Broadmor, Curry, Fees CPMS, Frank, Holdeman, Hudson, Laird, Meyer, Nevitt, Rover, Scales, TAIS, Thew, Ward and Wood

Our Sponsors

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Interested in being an Empty Bowl sponsor?
Email info@TempeEmptyBowls.org for info.
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Contact Us

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Hope you can make it on one of the days. We're looking forward to seeing you there.
Have questions? You can always email us or message us on Facebook.
facebook.com/TempeEmptyBowls
info@TempeEmptyBowls.org
* Hunger statistics provided by Tempe Community Action Agency and United Food Bank