Empty Bowls Dinner
& Silent Auction
The Event
Empty Bowls is our annual fundraiser for the Shepherd's Staff. For just $30.00, you get a ticket to attend the event where you receive a hand-crafted bowl made by a local artist, along with your choice of a delicious soup made by local restaurant, plus fresh bread, homemade dessert, and a drink. This is an amazing opportunity to support the pantry while enjoying a great meal and taking home a beautiful piece of art! Purchase a ticket and help us make a difference!
Silent Auction
This wonderful event also includes a silent auction featuring items from local artists and services and experiences from local businesses. All proceeds from this auction go directly to supporting our mission of providing those in need with access to food and other essentials.
Time & Place
Come join us for the Empty Bowls Dinner & Silent Auction on the third Saturday in August from 5pm to 7pm at Spruce Pine First Baptist Church for a night of delicious food, fellowship, and fun! Proceeds from the silent auction will go directly to the Shepherd's Staff, plus, each guest will receive a hand-crafted bowl to take home as a reminder of the people in need in our community. Don't miss out on this great event!
Fill a Bowl, Fill a Need
At Mitchell County Shepherd's Staff, we provide a food pantry for individuals and families who need assistance. We also provide assistance with utilities and heating. This is our primary fundraiser to help us make sure no one goes hungry in our community.
We believe in the power of coming together to help our neighbors and remember that not all of us have a full bowl. Join us!
History of Empty Bowls
Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement involving food pantries, artists, local restaurants, and grocers around the world to raise awareness and funds for food insecurity charities to care for and feed the hungry in their communities.
The project was founded by Lisa Blackburn and John Hartom in 1990 when they joined a drive to raise charitable funds in their Michigan community, where Hartom's students made ceramic bowls in their high school art classes. The finished products were then used as serving pieces for a simple soup and bread fundraiser.
Since then they have made this area their home and brought the project here as it has grown worldwide. Guests receive a simple meal and choose a hand-crafted bowl to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.