Empty Bowls Event to Fight Hunger
The Floyd Empty Bowls event returns for a 15th year with handcrafted bowls and community support, all benefiting efforts to address childhood hunger. Presented by the Rotary Club of Floyd County, the event will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Floyd County High School from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement in communities across the world that raises funds for food-related charitable efforts. At Floyd’s event, guests are invited to enjoy a simple meal of homemade soup and bread provided by community volunteers, served in handcrafted, food-safe bowls made and donated by local artisans. Guests may keep their bowl as a reminder of the event’s purpose and its support of children in Floyd County.
Proceeds from the event will benefit New River Community Action’s Floyd County Backpack Program, which provides weekend food support for children who might otherwise go without. The program currently distributes an average of 3,000 meals per month to students from low-income families and operates at an estimated cost of $800 per week. Since its beginning in 2007, the program has provided over 600,000 meals to children during the school year. The backpack program is volunteer-based; Floyd Rotary members assemble the weekly food bags for each student’s backpack on Wednesdays.
The event is supported by top-level sponsors Buffalo Mountain Ziplines and Thomas & Wall Real Estate, with significant in-kind contributions from Floyd Center for the Arts and New River Community Action.
“Empty Bowls continues to be a meaningful tradition in Floyd. The event reflects how this community responds to a real need,” said Karin Grosshans, a Floyd Rotary member and part of the organizing team. “People show up, share a simple meal, and directly support children who depend on the Backpack Program.”
Tickets may be purchased online at https://newrivercommunityaction.org/empty-bowls-2026-tickets/ or at the door while bowls and soups last. Tickets for a meal with a handcrafted bowl are $25 for adults and $20 for children ages 6–12. A reduced-price option without a handmade bowl is also available at $15 for adults and $10 for children, with a compostable bowl provided for the meal. Children five and under are admitted free (no handmade bowl included). Early arrival is encouraged, as bowl selection is first-come, first-served.
Event updates and additional information can be found on the “Floyd Empty Bowls” Facebook page. For information about the New River Community Action’s Floyd County Backpack Program, please visit NewRiverCommunityAction.org.
