Empty Bowls Project
2025 Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off
Benefiting Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center
Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 🕜 1:30–4:30 PM
4250 E Carefree Hwy, Cave Creek, Arizona
Fill Bowls. Feed Souls. Fight Hunger.
Join us for a flavorful afternoon of art, food, music, and community at the Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off, an annual fundraiser supporting the vital work of the Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center. This beloved event brings together local artists, chefs, and compassionate neighbors to make a meaningful impact in the fight against hunger.
For over 26 years, the Sonoran Arts League and its generous community have handcrafted ceramic and glass bowls in recognition of World Hunger Day. Each bowl serves as a symbol of hope—and your support ensures those bowls are never empty.
What to Expect:
- Delicious chili tastings
- Live Music and festive vibes
- Local Brews
- Silent Auction with one-of-a-kind artwork
- Handmade Artisan Bowls for purchase
Guests are invited to purchase unique, handcrafted bowls and bid on original art donated by talented local artists. 100% of the proceeds directly support the Foothills Food Bank, providing food, financial assistance, and essential resources to individuals and families in crisis.
Be part of something powerful—Art, Compassion, and Community—working together to end hunger.
Empty Bowls Community Clay Workshops
Fridays in August | Free & Open to All
Join the Sonoran Arts League for a meaningful and creative community project! We’re hosting free Empty Bowls Community Clay Workshops every Friday in August, where participants will handcraft ceramic bowls to support the 2025 Empty Bowls Fundraiser, benefiting the Foothills Food Bank. The finished bowls will be donated and sold at the Empty Bowls event on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 1:30 – 4:30 PM, helping raise funds to fight food insecurity in our community.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced ceramic artist, all are welcome to take part. Materials and instruction are provided—just bring your creativity and a desire to give back.
Register today for a free workshop and help make a difference—one bowl at a time.
This project is a collaboration between the Sonoran Arts League and the Foothills Food Bank.
Our Partners
Foothills Food Bank
The Foothills Food Bank provides emergency food, financial assistance, and essential life resources to individuals and families in need across the Desert Foothills. Their service area spans over 180 square miles, including Black Canyon City, Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem, Desert Hills, New River, North Scottsdale, Rio Verde, and North Phoenix.
With compassion and dedication, the Foothills Food Bank works to ensure that no one in our community goes without the support they need.
Arizona Woodturners Association
We are deeply grateful to the Arizona Woodturners Association (AWA) for their continued support of the Empty Bowls Project since 2021. Their beautifully handcrafted wooden pieces—each a true work of art—have been generously donated to help raise funds for our community cause.
The AWA is dedicated to sharing the art and craft of woodturning, the shaping of wood using a lathe to create everything from functional bowls to sculptural masterpieces. Through education, demonstrations, and community engagement, the AWA encourages creativity and skill-building for woodturners of all levels, while also supporting local charitable efforts like ours.
Thank you, AWA, for turning your passion into purpose and helping us make a meaningful impact.
Ceramics Studio – School of Art
The students from the Ceramics Studio in the Department of Art at Paradise Valley Community College have been so generous with their time and support of this project year-over-year.
Thank you for your continued support of this event since 2023.