Purchase A local handcrafted bowl

Receive A Serving of Soup to Go

Help Feed the Hungry!

Fill More than Bellies with Empty Bowls

Our 13th Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser benefits local charities feeding the poor. For a minimum $25 donation, you’ll enjoy a delicious bowl of soup in a keepsake, artisan bowl and will help raise enough money to fight hunger year round.

In addition to our primary goal of feeding the hungry, the event showcases the exquisite pottery crafted by numerous generous and talented clay artists from our region, many of whom are world-renowned. Their commitment to donating their time, skill, and creations plays a crucial role in making this event possible.

When and Where to Buy a Bowl

The Day of the Event

Place: Suzanne's Natural Foods (3106 S Connecticut Ave St, Joplin, MO)

Time: Thursday, November 13 • 11 AM - 2 PM

Donation: $25 minimum per bowl

The Presale

You can get your bowl in advance for a minimum $30 donation. The higher presale price gives you first pick of all the beautiful pottery designs, and anyone who buys early can still stop by Suzanne's Natural Foods on Thursday, November 13, for a serving of soup.


Place: Joplin Greenhouse & Coffee Shop (2820 E 32nd St, Joplin, MO)

Time: Saturday, September 20th • 9 AM - 5 PM to Sunday, September 27th • 1 PM - 5 PM

Donation: $30 minimum per bowl

Thanks to Our

Clay Artists

  • Claybeard Studio
  • Josh Novak and his Crowder College pottery students
  • Jeff Jones, Donna Divine, Jeff Walker, and team of The Clay Cup in Neosho, MO
  • Melody Knowles, Ashley & Rachel Brown, Brent Skinner and team of Skinner's Pottery of Diamond, MO
  • Walnut Springs Pottery
  • NorthStar Pottery
  • Suzi Huntington of Sumaro House of Design in Joplin, MO
  • Daria Claiborne
  • Dragonflies and Mud Pottery by Angel Brame
  • Stephanie Roy at Roy Pottery
  • Sandy Smith at I Am the Clay Pottery
  • Trent & Kate Freeman of The Artificer's in Ft. Scott, KS
  • Cathleen Denise Bailey of Nighthawk Gallery & Studio in Neosho, MO
  • Kristi Tucker of Pottery by KT in Joplin, MO
  • Chad Keutzer of Freedom Frontier Enterprises
  • Alan Kirby of Hippy Clay In Pittsburg, KS
  • Burt Bucher, Art Professor, of Labette County Community College
  • Patt Heinrich Olsen Studio of Nixa, MO

Soup Makers

  • Suzanne's Natural Foods
  • Granny Shaffer's
  • Doug Musick - SMB
  • The Bruncheonette
  • Red Onion - Galena, KS
  • Panera Bread
  • Schlotsky's
  • Han the Sushi Man
  • Club 1201
  • Grace Baptist Church
  • Jamey Smith of Redings Mill Bread
  • Great Western Dining

Generous Sponsors

Support Charities Who Are Solving the Problem of Hunger.

Donate and Support

All Empty Bowls proceeds go to Mission Joplin, We Care of the Four States, Hope Kitchen, and Watered Gardens Ministries. These are 100% privately funded organizations with a food distribution portion of their ministry. True Charity supports and advocates for organizations that are outcome driven, challenge oriented, and voluntarily funded.