Get Involved with
Empty Bowls By The Lake
The mission of Empty Bowls by the Lake is to raise both money and awareness in the fight to end hunger in our neighborhood. We are dedicated to creating positive and lasting changes through the arts, education, and projects that build community.
How it works:
Potters, crafters, educators, students, and volunteers make handcrafted bowls and local restaurants donate soup and bread. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread, and in exchange for a $25 donation, keep a bowl as a reminder of all the ‘empty bowls’ in the world. All the proceeds are given to organizations that feed the hungry.
Our Empty Bowls project will be held once each year on a Saturday in October in a western suburb of Cleveland. The proceeds will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, Avon/Avon Lakee CRS, Commodore Cupboard, and other local food pantries.
Our first event was held in 2012. Since then, we have donated over $ 108,000.
Ways You Can Get Involved
Volunteer your time for the day of the event
Please email us at support@emptybowlsbythelake.org to volunteer your time. We have a range of volunteer activities needed. Please provide your phone number, and any information that may be helpful to know in assigning you a volunteer position.
Join the Planning Committee
We would love to have your help in organizing the event.
Spread the Word
Please share news about the event with your friends, family, and groups.
Are You a Teacher?
Perhaps your students could make bowls. Empty Bowls is a great learning experience for all.
Donate Items or Experiences
The event will include a silent auction featuring the work of local artists and merchants. Please contact us if you would like to contribute.
Donate Soup
Please let us know if your restaurant would like to participate this year. We have volunteers who pick up the soup, transport it to the hall, keep it heated, and serve it to our guests. Above each soup station will be a poster with the name and location of the restaurant. The menu will also be displayed on social media and the press.
Donate Money
All the labor and planning is donated, as well as all of the soup and pottery bowls and auction and raffle items. But there are expenses in holding the event and we would love your help with this. Remember that every dollar we give to SHFB turns into 5 meals for the hungry.
Come to the Event (AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS)
Your donation will include one pottery bowl, and unlimited soup and bread. Children that accompany a donor may participate in the event for a reduced donation for ages 6-12 and free for 5 and under. The reduced donation includes soup and bread, but does not include a pottery bowl.
We’ve Raised over $132,000 to Help Local Food Banks in Northern Ohio
