Purchase A local handcrafted bowl

Receive A Serving of Soup to Go

Help Feed the Hungry!

Fill More than Bellies with Empty Bowls

Our 12th 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 14 • 11 AM - 2 PM

Donation: $25 minimum per bowl

The Presale

MTWThF 8 AM - 5 PM, Saturday 10 am - to 2 PM. You can get your bowl in advance for a minimum $30 donation (we will not be selling on Sundays). 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 14, for a serving of soup.


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

Time: Friday, September 13 • 8 AM - 5 PM to Saturday, September 21st • 10 AM - 2 PM

Donation: $30 minimum per bowl

Did you miss the presale?

It's not too late! Join us at these additional gatherings to get your bowl!

Date: Saturday, October 5th, 2024

Time: 10 AM - 6 PM

Where: Neosho Fall Festival on the Square

Find us at the Artist's Alley located in front of the Clay Cup Coffee Shop on 114 N. Wood Street!

Date: Saturday, October 19th 2024

Time: 10 AM - 2 PM

Where: Local Color Art Gallery at 1027 S. Main Street, Joplin, MO

Featuring the exclusive work of Mark Strayer and his famous dog and cat bowls among many others!

Thanks to Our

Clay Artists

  • Claybeard Studio
  • Josh Novak and his Crowder College pottery students
  • Jeff Jones, Donna Divine, Denae Jones, Levi Butts, John Good 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
  • Sue Colgin of Cooley Creek Pottery
  • 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
  • Sylvia Rose Grotheer and team of Sunny Daze Ceramics in Pittsburg, KS
  • Reed Whitton of Umber Ceramics in Carthage, MO
  • 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

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.