Our Story
Empty Bowls Naples enlists the creative talents of local potters, artists, educators, students, and volunteers to create handcrafted, painted bowls which contribute to our annual event to raise money and awareness in the fight against hunger.
Our Empty Bowls event held each January in Cambier Park supports the communities efforts to feed the over 122,670 people in Collier and Lee Counties who are food insecure and may not know where their next meal is coming from.
Event attendees select a bowl, enjoy soups from over 50 local restaurants, delight in the entertainment of local performers, and are encouraged to participate in the paint-a-bowl event, silent auction, or pottery sale, which help fight hunger in our communities.
Net proceeds of the annual event fund the Empty Bowls Naples Inc. Grant Program, which distributes funds to local non-profit organizations supporting our mission to "create awareness and eliminate hunger in our communities ONE BOWL at a time".
Support the event today to help us help the hungry!
Finding Ways to Support Our Community
These local residents saw a need in their community and became involved in an event that has changed the way the community responds to the hunger needs of our community. Follow their lead and take the time to become involved or make a donation today!
Betsy Dawson
Event Chair
Betsy Dawson was one of the original parents that were enlisted by Donna Torrance to help start the first event. When Betsy saw the needs of the community, she began to spread the word and encourage others to become involved.
Donna Torrance
Artist & Teacher
When one of her students told her about an Empty Bowls event that they had attended in another area, Donna Torrance loved the idea of using her students' creations as a way of giving back to the community, so she enlisted the help of parents and students to start the Empty Bowls Naples Event at Barron Collier High School. It has since grown to become a community event.
Judi Nicholson
Resident Artist
On a day to paint with friends, Judi Nicholson found herself enlisted as an artist to help paint bowls to help those in need. Her artistic talents have moved her into the role of resident artist at Empty Bowls Naples. She uses her talents to teach others about brush strokes, paints and finishing pieces when volunteers come to paint at the monthly paint party events.
What are you waiting for...
Learn more about how you can become involved?