The origin of the Empty Bowls event dates back to 1990 when a high school art teacher in Michigan helped his students address a challenge. They were searching for a way to raise funds to support a local food drive. What evolved was the idea of a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fundraiser dinner.
Since then, many variations of the original Empty Bowls event have taken flight annually in North America and around the world. To date millions of dollars have been raised.
The first Empty Bowls dinner event in Thunder Bay was held in 2000, spearheaded with the combined efforts of two well known Thunder Bay potters, Alan Moon and Fritz Lehmberg, from the Thunder Bay Potters’ Guild together with Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship member, Pyteke Blaauw.
This successful annual dinner event has grown over the years and it is the combined spirit and commitment of the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship, the talented potters from both the Thunder Bay Potters’ Guild and the wider community, caring community volunteers and dedicated patrons that make this inspirational event possible and the success it is today; to date this event has raised approximately $460, 000.
Sunday, October 19, 2025 will mark the 26th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraising event in Thunder Bay. With a move back to Confederation College in 2025, event organizers are pleased to return again for 2025.
To learn more about hunger in Canada, check out our resources page.