About Our Organization

Empty Bowls Naples was started by a group of volunteers under the leadership of art teacher, Donna Torrance, and her Barron Collier High School students. After listening to one of her students describe an Empty Bowls event they had attended in another area, Donna become inspired—she loved the idea of using her students’ creations as a way of giving back to the community. Her students were excited about the idea as well.

Donna organized the first Empty Bowls fundraising event at Barron Collier High School with the help of students and parents. It has since grown into a community-wide event involving the creative talents of local potters, artists, educators, students, and volunteers.

Every January in Cambier Park, the Empty Bowls Naples event draws a large crowd of enthusiastic attendees. Their generosity enables us to help other non-profit organizations in their efforts to feed over 122,670 food insecure people in Collier and Lee Counties.

Each attendee at the Empty Bowls Naples event selects a handcrafted, painted bowl, enjoys soups from over 50 local restaurants and private clubs, delights in the entertainment of local performers, and is encouraged to participate in the paint-a-bowl event, silent auction, and pottery sale.

Net proceeds from the event go to funding the Empty Bowls Naples Inc. Grant Program. The program distributes funds to local non-profit organizations supporting our mission to create awareness and eliminate hunger in our communities One Bowl at a Time.

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!