
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots movement that aims to fight hunger and raise money for food-related charities. The movement was founded by Lisa Blackburn and art teacher John Hartom in 1990-91. Hartom's ceramics class made ceramic bowls, which were then used to serve a fundraising meal of soup and bread. Guests could then choose a bowl to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world, in exchange for a donation. The movement has since expanded, with events taking place worldwide, and has raised millions of dollars to help end hunger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grassroots movement | Artists and craftspeople create handmade bowls |
| International project | Raise money for food-related charities |
| Fight hunger and food insecurity | |
| Raise awareness of empty bowls and bellies around the world | |
| Community-based | Events take place in various areas, including schools and art centres |
| Local restaurants, groceries, and kitchens donate food |
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What You'll Learn

Empty Bowls' grassroots movement
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots movement that aims to fight hunger and raise funds for food-related charities. It was founded by Lisa Blackburn and art teacher John Hartom in 1990-91. The idea was born when Hartom's ceramics class made some bowls, added soup, and sent the bowls home with guests as a reminder of all the empty bowls around the world.
The Empty Bowls movement has since expanded globally, with events taking place in various areas, particularly in the United States and Canada, often in conjunction with the United Nations-sponsored World Food Day. Each community's events are independent, and the project expands one group of concerned artists and students at a time. These events are typically organized by local nonprofits, artists, and art organizations, bringing together artisans, woodworkers, potters, and other craftspeople.
The concept of Empty Bowls events is simple: participating artists and groups create and donate bowls, which are then sold or auctioned, and a simple meal, usually soup, is served. Guests often choose a bowl to use and keep as a reminder of those facing hunger in their community. The money raised through these events is donated to local food-related charities, including soup kitchens, food banks, and other organizations fighting hunger.
The Empty Bowls movement has raised millions of dollars to support food-related charities and help end hunger. It has brought together people from all walks of life, uniting communities to share their culture, care for one another, and make a difference in the fight against hunger. The movement has also helped raise awareness about the worldwide hunger crisis and the importance of regular meals for children's well-being and development.
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Raising money for food-related charities
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots movement that raises money for food-related charities. It was founded by Lisa Blackburn and art teacher John Hartom (or Harton) in 1990-91 in Michigan, United States. The movement involves artists and craftspeople creating handmade bowls, which are then used to serve a meal of soup and bread to guests, who can then keep the bowl. The guests pay a donation, which goes to charities fighting hunger and food insecurity. The empty bowl serves as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.
The movement has spread to communities, schools, and art centres worldwide, with events taking place in many areas of the United States and Canada, often in conjunction with United Nations World Food Day. Each community's events are independent, and the movement has no central organisation. However, the promotion and growth of the project were originally managed by The Imagine/RENDER Group, a 501(c)(3) organisation.
Empty Bowls events bring communities together to raise money for local food-related charities. For example, the Sandy Spring Friends School has been involved in the Empty Bowl project since 2005, hosting dinners and raising over $60,000 to feed the hungry in their area. Harvard University has also organised Empty Bowls events, with proceeds going to local charities.
Anyone can start an Empty Bowls event in their community. It involves organising artists and craftspeople to create handmade bowls, usually from ceramic. These bowls are then used to serve a meal to guests, who pay a donation to attend. The meal is often soup, with bread and other foods, and is sometimes provided by local restaurants, groceries, and kitchens. Guests can then keep the bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.
The Empty Bowls movement is a powerful way to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity, bringing people together to support those in need in their communities. It is a simple but effective formula that has raised millions of dollars to help end hunger and support food-related charities worldwide.
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Artists and craftspeople's involvement
Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement that involves artists and craftspeople creating and donating bowls, which are then used to serve a simple meal, often soup. The movement was founded by Lisa Blackburn and art teacher John Hartom (or Harton) in 1990-91. The artists and craftspeople involved in Empty Bowls are central to the movement's success and impact. They create unique, handcrafted bowls that are used at fundraising events and auctioned off to raise money for food-related charities.
Artists and craftspeople from various disciplines participate in Empty Bowls events, including ceramic artists, wood turners, glassblowers, fiber artists, metal smiths, painters, sculptors, and more. These individuals donate their time and talent to create bowls that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and unique. The bowls are often decorated with designs that reflect the artist's style or the theme of the event. In some cases, the bowls are created during community workshops or events, allowing participants to engage in the creative process and contribute to the cause.
The involvement of artists and craftspeople in Empty Bowls goes beyond the creation of bowls. They also collaborate with local restaurants, groceries, and kitchens to provide food for the events. This partnership ensures a variety of dishes for attendees to sample and contributes to the success of the fundraising efforts. The artists and craftspeople may also be involved in organising and promoting the events, using their networks and platforms to spread awareness and engage the community.
Additionally, artists and craftspeople play a crucial role in the symbolism of Empty Bowls. The bowls themselves serve as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world, representing the ongoing fight against hunger. The artists and craftspeople, through their handcrafted bowls, help to convey this powerful message and create a tangible connection between the participants and the cause. The bowls are taken home by attendees as a memento of the event and a symbol of their commitment to fighting hunger.
The Empty Bowls movement provides artists and craftspeople with a platform to use their creative skills for a charitable cause. It allows them to make a personal impact in their communities and collaborate with other artists and organisations. Through their involvement, these individuals not only contribute to the success of the events but also help to raise awareness and funds for food-related charities, playing a vital role in the fight against hunger.
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Community events and participation
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots movement that uses art to raise money for food-related charities and fight hunger. The movement was founded by Lisa Blackburn and art teacher John Hartom (or Harton) in 1990-91 in Michigan, United States. Hartom's ceramics class made bowls, which were then used to serve a fundraising meal of soup and bread. Contributing guests kept the empty bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.
Empty Bowls events are held in cities and towns worldwide, with each community organising its events independently. These events bring together artists, craftspeople, local restaurants, and the wider community to raise funds and awareness for the issue of hunger.
Community members are invited to participate in various ways. For example, at Sandy Spring Friends School, the community is invited to make ceramic bowls during weekend sessions. These bowls are then offered for purchase at a fundraising dinner. Similarly, Harvard University organised an Empty Bowls event where members of the Harvard community came together to create over 1,000 bowls.
Local artists and craftspeople, such as potters, ceramic artists, wood turners, glassblowers, and painters, are also integral to Empty Bowls events. They create and donate handmade bowls, which are then used during the meal and taken home by guests for a donation. The artists often collaborate with local restaurants, groceries, and kitchens to provide a variety of foods for attendees to sample.
Empty Bowls events are a powerful way to bring the community together and involve people of all ages. They provide an opportunity for creative expression, as well as a reminder of the issue of hunger and food insecurity. These events encourage participation and engagement from the entire community, uniting people for a common cause.
Through these community-led events, Empty Bowls has raised millions of dollars to support food-related charities and fight hunger on a global scale. The movement showcases how a simple idea can unite people across borders to make a significant impact and create positive change.
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Empty bowls as a reminder of world hunger
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots movement that uses art to raise awareness and funds to combat hunger. The movement was founded by art teacher John Hartom (or Harton) and Lisa Blackburn in 1990-91 in Michigan, United States. The original idea was to have students make ceramic bowls in art class and serve a simple meal of soup and bread to the community using those bowls. The guests were then allowed to take home the bowls they had used as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world that still need filling.
The Empty Bowls movement has since expanded globally, with events taking place in various communities, schools, and art centres. It brings together artists, craftspeople, students, and community members to create and donate handmade bowls. These bowls are then used at fundraising events where guests are invited to share a meal and take home the bowl of their choice in exchange for a donation. The funds raised are donated to local food banks, soup kitchens, and other organisations working to fight hunger and food insecurity.
The empty bowl serves as a powerful reminder of the empty bellies of people around the world, symbolising the hunger crisis and the need to come together to address it. Each bowl created for an Empty Bowl dinner has a unique story behind it, reflecting the creativity and compassion of the maker. The movement encourages people to get involved, make a difference, and touch the hearts of those in their community.
The Empty Bowls movement is a testament to the power of art and community in driving social change. By uniting people from all walks of life around a common cause, it fosters a sense of sharing, caring, and generosity. Through the simple yet effective formula of combining art with a charitable cause, Empty Bowls has raised significant funds and awareness to help end hunger and support those in need.
The movement's website, emptybowls.com, serves as a platform for people to share information about their local Empty Bowls events and connect with others around the world. It also provides an opportunity for people to submit pictures of their bowls, which are then featured online and in a book to further promote the movement and its mission.
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Frequently asked questions
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots movement by artists and craftspeople in cities and towns around the world to raise money for food-related charities to care for and feed the hungry in their communities.
Potters and other craftspeople create handmade bowls. Guests are invited for a meal of soup and other food, and, for a donation, they can keep the bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The donations go to organizations working to end hunger and food insecurity.
The Empty Bowl movement was conceptualized by John Harton, an art teacher from Michigan, in 1990. He had his class make ceramic bowls and invited the community to come and have a simple dinner, with food donated by local restaurants. The diners took home the bowl they had just used for soup, as a reminder of all the empty bowls that still need filling every night around the world.



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