Catholic Charities Hosts 23rd Empty Bowls Fundraiser
The annual event raises funds to fight hunger and poverty across the Greater Rochester area.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Catholic Charities Family and Community Services hosted its 23rd annual Empty Bowls fundraiser in Rochester on Thursday. Attendees selected and kept a handcrafted bowl made by local artists and community members.
Why it matters
Proceeds from the event support Catholic Charities Family and Community Services programs aimed at fighting hunger and poverty in Rochester and the surrounding area. The fundraiser also connects local residents, artists and restaurants to Empty Bowls, an international grassroots movement focused on ending hunger.
This is the 23rd annual Empty Bowls fundraiser hosted by Catholic Charities Family and Community Services, based on organizer-reported event details. The total funds raised and attendance figures have not been disclosed.
The players
Catholic Charities Family and Community Services
A social services agency that runs programs aimed at fighting hunger and poverty in the Rochester area.
Empty Bowls
An international grassroots movement focused on ending hunger through community fundraising meals and handcrafted bowls.
The details
Attendees selected and kept a handcrafted bowl made by local artists and community members. Empty Bowls 2026 featured a meal of soups from local restaurants, along with wine, beer, desserts, live music and a silent auction.
Timeline
Thursday: Catholic Charities hosted the 23rd annual Empty Bowls fundraiser in Rochester.
Business Landscape
The Rochester fundraiser is a local iteration of Empty Bowls, the international grassroots movement focused on ending hunger, which relies on community artists and restaurants to convert donated time into charitable funds. Its 23-year run in the area places it among long-established community hunger-relief fundraisers that combine local food, art and philanthropy.
Residents who attend or donate to Empty Bowls directly support Catholic Charities programs addressing hunger and poverty in the Rochester area. The event also offers a chance to take home a locally made handcrafted bowl and enjoy a meal of soups from local restaurants.
The takeaway
Supporting local charity events like Empty Bowls is a direct way for Rochester residents to help address hunger in their own community. Participating also connects donors with local artists and restaurants.
Further reading
For more local charitable giving coverage, explore Philanthropy stories from Rochester.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHAM.
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