The Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign and Logan Counties announces its annual Empty Bowls fundraising events, bringing communities together to fight hunger while enjoying delicious soups and hand-crafted bowls.
This year, Logan County Empty Bowls meal is set for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 3, starting at The Flying Pepper Cantina in Bellefontaine. The event is a soup crawl, where guests can visit multiple participating restaurants to sample a variety of soups.
Empty Bowls is open to the public, and no advanced registration is required.
For a $20 donation ($10 for children 12 and under), attendees can choose a unique, hand-crafted bowl made by local high school and Wittenberg University students and enjoy a selection of soups provided by numerous area restaurants.
“We’re excited to expand the Soup Crawl format to Logan County this year while continuing the tradition in Champaign County,” said Allie Godfrey, SHFB marketing & events specialist. “This event is a great way for people to experience local flavors while supporting a vital cause.”
In addition to the Logan County event, Empty Bowls meals also take place in Clark and Champaign counties:
• Clark County Empty Bowls – March 27, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Wittenberg University Student Center Dining Hall; and
• Champaign County Empty Bowls – April 2, 5 to 8 p.m., starting at The Farmer’s Daughter in Urbana.
All proceeds directly support SHFB’s efforts to provide food assistance to individuals and families across the three counties.
The Clark County event at Wittenberg University will feature unlimited soup selections from local vendors, while the Champaign County meal is a soup crawl.
Kroger has once again been welcomed as the presenting sponsor for the Clark County Empty Bowls event. Their continued dedication to addressing food insecurity in the community plays a significant role in the event’s success, SHFB officials said.
Each year, Empty Bowls serves as a powerful reminder of hunger’s impact on the community. In 2024, SHFB provided assistance to over 56,000 unique individuals struggling with food insecurity in Clark, Champaign and Logan counties. The food bank distributed almost 5 million pounds of food, equating to nearly 4 million meals for local families in need.
“These events are a true testament to the kindness and generosity of our community,” said Jennifer Brunner, SHFB development director. “Every bowl filled, and every donation made, brings us one step closer to making sure none of our neighbors go hungry.”
For those interested in sponsoring the event or contributing as a soup donor, contact Godfrey at agodfrey@theshfb.org or call (937) 325-8715 ext. 102.