MARCH 6, 2020 EMPTY BOWLS SUPPORTING ARK AID STREET MISSION
More details will be published in the coming weeks. Check back soon for more information. Visit the Empty Bowls London, Ontario Facebook page.
The Empty Bowls initiative aims to help relieve hunger in our community
Empty Bowls is an annual fundraiser supported by members of The London Potters Guild to address hunger in our community. Each year, local clay artists make up to 700 unique bowls, most of which are produced at London Clay Art Centre. Ticket buyers choose the bowl they would like to take home as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. They share a simple meal of soup and bread donated by local restaurants. The proceeds of the event go to a worthy local organization that addresses food insecurity. ​​
In the past 30 years, Empty Bowls fundraising events all over North America have raised millions of dollars for local communities. The London Potters Guild has participated in the Empty Bowls project for over 20 years. Initially, we only provided the bowls. Since 2013, our members have played a more active role coordinating many aspects of the event in conjunction with recipient organizations. Since that time, we have helped raise over $60,000 to address food security in our community while raising awareness about the relationship between food and the ceramic arts.
Past recipients of the proceeds of Empty Bowls:
2013 - Ark Aid Street Mission
2014 - Regional HIV/AIDS Connection
2015 - El Sistema Aeolian
2016 - My Sisters' Place
2017 - Youth Opportunities Unlimited
2018 - Growing Chefs
2019 - no event
2020's recipient is Ark Aid Street Mission.
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Serving soup donated by local restaurants.
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Members at LAC making bowls to help address food insecurity in London.
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Bowls thrown on a potters wheel, drying and waiting to be trimmed.
Expressions of Interest to Become a Recipient of the Empty Bowls Project in London
The Empty Bowls Committee at London Clay Art Centre is open to receiving expressions of interest from local organizations* that offer programs related to food security, including nutritional education. Please send an email to darlene@londonclayartcentre.org with the following information:
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Bowls ready to be chosen at the event!
  1. Name of organization
  2. Address of organization
  3. Charitable number (recipients must be registered charities)
  4. Explanation of what you will use the funds for. You must directly feed the hungry or increase food security/nutritional needs.
  5. Amount requested
  6. Number of people the request will affect (eg. how many meals you will provide per year)
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2018 Empty Bowls Committee with Andrew Fleet of Growing Chefs.
What Happens Next
Once your expression of interest has been reviewed, we will meet with you to better understand your organization and capacity to administer tickets, help with preparations before and day-of-event delivery, provide informational materials and speak at the Empty Bowls event. 
*Please Note:
We will not consider requests from the following:
  • Individuals or individual projects;
  • Service clubs;
  • Infrastructure or building projects for organizations that help relieve hunger in our community.