18th Annual Empty Bowls 2026

Join us for the 18th Annual Empty Bowls, a beloved community tradition held during a milestone year as the Amherst Survival Center celebrates 50 years of serving our neighbors with dignity and compassion.

Spend the evening enjoying a delicious, hearty soup prepared by your favorite local restaurants while connecting with community leaders, special guest hosts, and live music. Choose a beautiful handmade bowl from hundreds generously crafted and donated by local artists — a meaningful keepsake and symbol of the collective care that has sustained our community for five decades.

Alongside comforting soups, guests will enjoy fresh bread, salad, and dessert, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available so everyone can gather at the table.

For 50 years, the Amherst Survival Center has worked to ensure no one in our community goes hungry. Today, more than 12,000 neighbors rely on our Food and Nutrition Programs each year. Every ticket purchased and every donation made at Empty Bowls helps fill empty bowls — not just for one evening, but throughout the year ahead.