Tempe Empty Bowls

There are too many empty bowls.
Please help fill some in Tempe.

Tempe Empty Bowls 2025

Tempe Empty Bowls will return to the same location on the campus of the Tempe Public Library 10am – 2pm on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Seeking 2025 Sponsors!

Learn about sponsorship!

Our Story

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. 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 are split between TCAA and United Food Bank. After the 20th anniversary event in 2022, organization of Tempe Empty Bowls was passed off to the TCAA Emerging Leaders Committee.

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.

We can’t help everyone but…everyone can help someone.
– Dr. Loretta Scott