28th annual Empty Bowls raises 98,664 meals for neighbours facing hunger

Empty Bowls returned on May 27 at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis Hall, once again proving to be a truly soup-er community celebration of delicious food, beautiful art, and meaningful impact. 

The 28th annual event, organized by Laurier’s Robert Langen Art Gallery and the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop, raised more than $49,000 for The Food Bank of Waterloo Region—enough to provide an incredible 98,664 meals! 

These meals will be distributed through the 61 organizations in the Community Food Assistance Network, helping ensure the nearly 73,000 adults and children in our community who rely on food assistance have access to healthy, nutritious food. 

More than 500 people attended across both the lunch and dinner seatings. Each guest selected a beautiful, one-of-a-kind bowl handcrafted and donated by members of the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop, then filled it with a variety of comforting gourmet soups and bowl meals prepared by talented local chefs and restaurants. Guests then took their bowls home as a special keepsake from the day. 

Guests enjoying the gourmet soups and bowl meals prepared by talented local chefs and restaurants.

Guests were also invited to donate to vote for their favourite soup. Bhima’s Warung was named this year’s favourite soup provider, with The Duke of Wellington coming in a close second. 

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended this year’s event. Your support helps ensure that more bowls are filled across our community. 

We also extend our sincere thanks to Wilfrid Laurier University for continuing to host Empty Bowls year after year, and to the members of the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop for their ongoing dedication in crafting and donating hundreds of unique, handmade bowls. 

Bowls handcrafted and donated by members of the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop.

Special thanks also go to our volunteers for generously giving their time; to the restaurants and chefs for providing all the delicious soups and bowl meals; to our in-kind supporters for donating products and services; and to our event sponsor, Bennett Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities Inc., for helping make this event possible. 

Together, we’re proving that when a community comes together, no bowl has to stay empty.