Empty Bowls
Come and purchase beautifully hand crafted “empty bowls”. While you are there, taste a variety of chef made soups at our annual Empty Bowls event. It is an internationally recognized project bringing together artisans to fight for food justice.
Empty Bowls Event 2025!
When:
October 12th, 2025
Where:
Kern Center
1245 N Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours
Sunday 11:00pm – 3:00pm
This year our event is first-come, first-served, there are no pre-sales. The event is free to attend. Bowls are $30 and you receive two free soup sample tickets. Additional soup sample tickets are available for $2.
"Over 1,500 bowls crafted and
donated by 60+ artists each year."
What You Can Expect
Empty Bowls is a fun, casual, and family-friendly event. Attendees can choose from hundreds of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted bowls, each created with unique materials and styles by local artists, woodworkers, pottery schools, and arts programs across Wisconsin. You can also enjoy local samples of delicious soups from both seasoned chefs and up-and-coming restaurants. The event also features live entertainment, music, and exciting raffles.
Artists
Watch artists craft!
Bowls
Purchase hand crafted bowls
Local Food
Try local chef’s soups and food
Sharing
Feed Another by filling your bowl!
Impact
Every time you use one of the bowls purchased at Empty Bowls, you're reminded that someone in our community is facing hunger. In Milwaukee, 1 in 9 individuals (including 1 in 6 children) struggle with food insecurity.
Empty Bowls illustrates the power of a community coming together. Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors and participants, we raise over $70,000 annually to stock local food pantries. These funds provide over 10,000 individuals with a week’s worth of free, nutritious groceries.
Sign Up to Volunteer
Hundreds of volunteers help run this event each year! Your help would be hugely appreciated!
Over 1,500 artisan made bowls handcrafted with love to fight hunger.
A diverse line-up of new and recognized local talent showcasing the best soups Milwaukee has to offer.
Experience Empty Bowl with your Community!
Online Silent Auction
Local businesses and restaurants have donated great prizes, memberships, and experiences for participants to enjoy!
Empty Bowls began in 1990 as a grassroots idea by a small-town pottery teacher who wanted to raise money for food-related charities and help feed the hungry in their community. The concept was simple: sell handcrafted bowls at a fun event, with 100% of the proceeds going to charity.
Today, Empty Bowls has grown into a global movement, with hundreds of events held annually around the world. These events, typically hosted around World Food Day in October, are organized by local nonprofits and artists, raising millions of dollars to help end hunger.
Empty Bowls came to Milwaukee in 1999. What started as a small event organized by dedicated volunteers, featuring a few hundred bowls and just a couple of participating restaurants, quickly expanded to over a thousand bowls and dozens of local eateries. Today, Milwaukee hosts one of the largest Empty Bowls events in the country, drawing thousands of attendees each year.
As the event grew, coordination of Empty Bowls was transferred to NourishMKE in 2021. As Milwaukee’s largest network of community food centers, NourishMKE ensures that 100% of event proceeds continue to support local families in need.
Sign up for updates about Empty Bowls!
Together, let’s make a difference.
connect@nourishmke.org
(414) - 289 - 6030
PO box 05411
Milwaukee, WI
53205
Our Generous Sponsors
Our work is made possible through amazing sponsors! Together we’re making investments in community, sharing resources, transforming the lives of students, and helping to spread the word about our mission.