In 1990, a high school art teacher in Michigan helped his students solve a problem. They were searching for a creative way to raise funds to support a food drive. What evolved was a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fundraising meal. Guests were served a simple meal of soup and bread, and were invited to keep their bowls as a reminder of hunger in the world.

By the following year, the originators had developed the 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. For more information on the originators of the event, go to: www.emptybowls.net.

Milwaukee Empty Bowls (MEB) started in 1999 with the same concept: to raise funds for food and hunger programs here in Milwaukee. Thanks to over 300 individuals, schools, restaurants and businesses, not to mention the estimated 1,200 people who attend the event, Milwaukee Empty Bowls has been a great success! The project has raised over $190,000 for local food programs in southeastern Wisconsin.

For information about our past Empty Bowls Donors,
please click on a year below:

1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006

To view photos of past Empty Bowls Events,
please click a year below: