Fighting Hunger One Bowl at a Time for 15 years

Join us on April 23rd, 2026

Tupps Brewery, 402 E Louisiana St Building 2, McKinney, TX 75069

6 PM – 8 PM

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Key Highlights

Fighting hunger, one bowl at a time

Registered Non-Profit
15 Years Strong
Local Artists & Potters
Every Ticket = Meals
Volunteer-Powered
Sponsor Support
Community Impact

An Annual Celebration of Art, Food, and Community Giving

This annual McKinney event features a showcase of handcrafted bowls made & decorated by professional & amateur artists. Guests enjoy a sampling of gourmet soups and light bites prepared by chefs from a variety of local food purveyors & restaurants. Each guest takes home an artisan bowl as a reminder of those who are hungry in our community.
Proceeds of the event go to Community Lifeline Center to help provide food for their Community Lifeline Market & mobile food distributions, to Community Garden Kitchen to serve hot meals to anyone in need with no questions asked and to The Little Free Pantry of McKinney where people can find food anonymously as they need.

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Our Mission

Raising Awareness and Support

Empty Bowls McKinney exists to hold an annual community event featuring local artisans and food purveyors that raises money and awareness to support nonprofit organizations that directly address hunger in our community.

Each year, the event unites art, food, and generosity into a single purpose: ensuring that no neighbor goes hungry. Guests leave with not only a handcrafted bowl but also a greater understanding of food insecurity and ways to make a difference.

Our History

Since 2011, when a small group from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church first organized the event to raise money for Easter hams, Empty Bowls McKinney has grown into a citywide tradition. For over 13 years, it has brought together artisans, chefs, volunteers, and community members in support of hunger relief.

The event continues to thrive thanks to local artists, generous sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers. In 2024, the event raised $85,000 for beneficiaries, with thousands of bowls created and shared as symbols of both art and compassion.

Our Beneficiaries

Funds raised through Empty Bowls McKinney go directly to beneficiaries including Community Garden Kitchen, Community Lifeline Center, and Little Free Pantry. These organizations provide meals, food pantries, crisis assistance, and anonymous food distribution across the city.

By investing in local nonprofits, we ensure that every ticket, bowl, and sponsorship strengthens hunger relief efforts right here in McKinney. These partnerships turn generosity into action, feeding families and uplifting lives year-round.

How to Get Involved

Food, Art, and Volunteerism in McKinney

Empty Bowls McKinney is powered by the Food Crew, local restaurants serving their best soups; the Artist Corner, where more than 1,400 bowls are created by studios, artisans, and volunteers; and the dedication of hundreds of community members who donate their time.

Volunteers keep the event running smoothly—from setup and guest assistance to teardown—while enjoying samples and camaraderie. Artists donate bowls for auctions, raffles, and event distribution, ensuring every attendee goes home with a meaningful piece of the mission.

Workshops, sponsorships, and ticket sales all provide opportunities for McKinney residents to join in the cause. Whether through creativity, cuisine, or service, every contribution builds a stronger community and supports lasting hunger relief.

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