Milwaukee Empty Bowls Announces 19th Annual Fundraiser

Milwaukee Empty Bowls is excited to announce its 19th annual fundraising event taking place Sunday, October 8, 2017 from 11am to 2pm at the Kern Center on the Milwaukee School of Engineering campus. 

Since 1999, the organization has distributed $705,000 in support of our neighbors, with $692,000 helping feed those in need plus $13,000 provided for educational scholarships. 

This 100 percent volunteer-driven effort brings the community together to enjoy the work of area artists, restaurants and entertainers. Proceeds benefit Milwaukee area programs working to address food insecurity. The fundraiser will build on efforts from 2016 where more than 2,000 people were served and $66,000 raised in support of local food programs.


With the involvement and support of the MSOE, local businesses and nearly 300 volunteers, proceeds from this year’s event benefit seven agencies in the Milwaukee area: Milwaukee Rescue Mission, Fondy Food Center, Repairers of the Breach, The Gathering, Milwaukee Christian Center, Guest House of Milwaukee, and Project Concern of Cudahy-St. Francis. More than 95% of the funds raised during this perennially popular event – celebrated around World Food Day – go directly to aid the hungry in our community. 

Guests have their choice of handcrafted bowls donated by local artists, organizations, and schools. Each $25 bowl ($10 for bowls made by young artists) includes two soup tickets good for a choice of soups served by more than 30 local restaurants. Fresh baked bread, including gluten-free, is provided. Additional soup tickets can be purchased for $2 each.

Attendees can purchase raffle tickets to win a variety of prizes donated by local businesses. Beverages, Milwaukee Empty Bowls t-shirts and sweatshirts, and bowl-themed items crafted and donated by the returning West Suburban Quilter’s Guild are also for sale. Local musicians perform throughout the event.

Since Milwaukee Empty Bowls’ inception more than 27,000 bowls have been purchased. Guests take their bowls home to serve as a reminder that there are always empty bowls in our community.

19th Annual Milwaukee Empty Bowls Event
Sunday, October 8, 2017 from 11am – 2pm
Kern Center – MSOE | 1245 N. Broadway, Milwaukee

Thanks to the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), parking in the Viets Field structure (across the street from the Kern Center, below the athletic field) will once again be FREE during the event! Free Sunday street parking is also available, but limited. 

Milwaukee Empty Bowls engages the community through ceramic and culinary arts to raise hunger awareness and provide resources to local agencies addressing food insecurity. For more information, please visit www.milwaukeeemptybowls.org or the Milwaukee Empty Bowls Facebook Event page.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.