On Sunday, September 27, the tables at First Presbyterian Church of Highlands will be set for one of the Plateau’s warmest traditions: Empty Bowls, the annual gathering that turns a simple lunch into a generous act of neighborly care.
From 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., guests of all ages are invited to Coleman Hall at 471 Main Street to share a bowl of soup, choose a handcrafted pottery bowl to take home, and support the Highlands Food Pantry, which serves about 2,000 individuals each month through the International Friendship Center.
The idea is beautifully simple. Local potters, restaurants, churches, volunteers, and friends come together around soup – one of the humblest and most comforting meals there is. Guests give $35, receive lunch and a handmade bowl, and leave with a keepsake that offers a quiet reminder: too many neighbors still face empty cupboards, uncertain paychecks, and the daily stress of food insecurity.
In past years, we’ve described Empty Bowls as more than just lunch. The event has long paired art, social action, and good food, with bowls created by community artists and soups donated by local chefs and businesses.
We’ve also noted that the Highlands event is one of the Food Pantry’s most important fundraisers, helping keep shelves stocked for families across the area.
That spirit will be easy to feel again this September. A family might pause over a row of bowls, each one shaped by different hands. A longtime neighbor may visit with a friend over a steaming cup of soup. A child may pick out a favorite color, not yet understanding the full meaning of the bowl, but learning something lasting about kindness.
There’ll also be a silent auction with treasures both large and small.
And, of course, there’s always the conversation. Let’s face it, we Plateau‑dwellers can gather anywhere (the Rec Park, the Post Office, the checkout line at Bryson’s) and engage in lively discussions about any subject under the sun. Empty Bowls is a wonderful opportunity to keep this Highlands tradition going.
Every ticket helps the Food Pantry continue its work at a time when the need remains real. The meal is cheerful and welcoming, but its purpose is serious: to make sure more people in the Highlands community have reliable access to healthy food.
Empty Bowls is a reminder that community is built in ordinary ways – one ladle, one clay bowl, one shared table at a time. Reserve your spot today, come hungry, and leave with something more enduring than lunch: the knowledge that your bowl helped fill another.
You can purchase your ticket for Empty Bowls 2026 at paypal.com/ncp/payment/UMVLJHTJKK2SE.
Favorites Count: 0