Welcome to Milwaukee Empty Bowls (MEB)

Milwaukee Empty Bowls is the LARGEST public
Empty Bowls event in the United States!

Thanks to you, we raised $32,000 at our 2009 event!

The 2010 event will be on Saturday, October 9th. We hope you can make it! If you would like updates on the event, please sign up to become a fan of Milwaukee Empty Bowls on Facebook.

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Ever wonder how Milwaukee Empty Bowls gets those thousands of beautiful hand-thrown bowls? Want to see how the community gets involved before the event?

The Milwaukee Empty Bowls Bowl-a-Thon
at Murray Hill Pottery Works

Throughout the year, Murray Hill Pottery Works reclaims and saves their scrap clay for the Milwaukee Empty Bowls Bowl-a-Thon.

Then, in one day in May, skilled potters get together to throw and trim bowls. In the past, 600-800 bowls have been made during this Bowl-a-Thon. Murray Hill then bisque fires the bowls for us. During the summer, the pots are glazed by Murray Hill students and volunteers.

The finished bowls are donated to be sold at the Milwaukee Empty Bowls on October 9, 2010.

This year, the Bowl-a-Thon is taking place on Saturday, May 8. Return to this site after that time for results and pictures.

This is just one example of community members working year-round to make bowls for our event. Others are schools, organizations, art students, and professionals, who we will continue to profile. See past donors here.

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Thanks to all who came and supported the 2009 event, donated bowls, soup, bread, music and volunteered! Please check out our donor page to learn more about our generous supporters.

The 2009 recipients: Bay View Community Center, The Gathering of Southeast WI, Inc., Hope House of Milwaukee, Inc., Repairers of the Breach, St. Ben's Community Meal and St. CatherineFood Pantry. To learn more about these organizations, please click here.

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Outpost Community Wednesdays

MEB was chose to be an Outpost Community Wednesday participant for the month of September 2010. Outpost will be donating $1,000 to MEB! In addition to the $1,000, people who shop at Outpost can:

-Round up their total at the cash register
-Drop a dollar in conveniently located donation jars
-Or donate directly at an information table on Wednesdays during lunch when we have a table set up.

If you are an Outpost member... Thank you for helping to support MEB!

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Milwaukee Empty Bowls, a nonprofit organization, is committed to raising awareness of the issue of hunger in the Milwaukee community. This goal is achieved through an annual fundraising event and other initiatives that support local food and hunger programs.

Select from over 2,000 original handcrafted bowls, sample delicious soups and breads from over 50 local chefs while listening to live music. Proceeds from your donation ($20 minimum per bowl including the Grab Bag Express, four bowl limit per person and $10 Kids' Bowls, no limit) will benefit food pantries and meal programs in the greater Milwaukee area. The Grab Bag Express allows you to enter "fast track" line in which you can purchase a bowl, but it has been selected for you. The bowls are to be taken home as a reminder that someone's bowl is always empty.

To apply for a grant in 2010, please Click Here to download the form.