Empty Bowls marks 20 years of art, community and compassion at M State
The Fergus Falls area community is invited to celebrate a milestone year of creativity, generosity and good food at the 20th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at M State, on Thursday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Legacy Hall at the college’s Fergus Falls campus.
A suggested $20 minimum donation includes a ceramic bowl handcrafted by students and local artists, a soup lunch and the opportunity to support neighbors in need. All proceeds from the event benefit the Fergus Falls Salvation Army food program, which serves individuals and families facing food insecurity in the region.
“This event has always been about coming together — sharing a meal, appreciating handmade art and remembering that small acts of generosity can make a real difference,” says Lori Charest, M State ceramics instructor and longtime Empty Bowls organizer. “Each bowl is unique, and when people take one home, it serves as a reminder to be compassionate and generous toward those whose bowls aren’t always full.”
This year’s luncheon will feature chicken wild rice, vegetable beef and tomato basil soups provided by Double A Catering, along with bread from Falls Bakery and coffee from Minnesota Mudwater. Attendees will also receive handmade soap favors from SoapWorks Naturals by Re‑Ewe’able.
New this year, M State printmaking instructor John Cox and alums produced reusable tote bags for Empty Bowls, featuring artwork that celebrates Earth Day 2026. Each attendee will receive a tote bag along with their bowl, a creative addition honoring both sustainability and student involvement.
Over its two decades in Fergus Falls, Empty Bowls has raised nearly $100,000 for the Salvation Army’s food program. As Charest prepares to retire from M State this spring, she says this year’s event offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the fundraiser’s impact and legacy. This will be her last year at the helm of Empty Bowls; M State will determine how the event continues in the years ahead.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the community, the college, our students and the many area artists who have supported Empty Bowls over the years,” she says. “Working together, we’ve helped so many people – and we’ve had a lot of fun doing it.”
The Fergus Falls Empty Bowls is hosted by the M State Fine Arts department. It is part of a nationwide initiative of the nonprofit Image/Render Group, which uses art and education to promote community-building and social change.
To learn more about fine arts at M State, visit minnesota.edu/fine-arts.
