The Cashiers 2026 Empty Bowls food drive returns Saturday, October 3, at Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry, located at 543 Frank Allen Road.
The annual event combines art and compassion, featuring hand-turned pottery created by local artisans. During the Empty Bowls fundraiser, community members who make a donation may select and keep a handcrafted bowl, serving as a reminder that many of our neighbors face food insecurity every day.
Founded in 2005 by six local churches, Fishes & Loaves was created to provide a more coordinated response to hunger in the Cashiers area. Today, the nonprofit serves individuals and families throughout Jackson County and neighboring communities, relying on a dedicated network of volunteers, donors, grantors, local food drives, and partnerships with organizations such as MANNA FoodBank.
The need remains significant. In 2025, Fishes & Loaves served 11,359 people in 3,511 households and distributed 5,058 boxes of food. Families visiting the pantry receive more than canned goods. All clients may shop and choose from a variety of frozen meats, breads, fresh vegetables, and fruits when available.
In August 2026 alone, the pantry distributed 662 food boxes to 1,486 people in 479 households. Through August, it had already provided 4,183 boxes of food to 9,374 individuals in 2,946 households.
The pantry’s mission is simple: to help alleviate hunger by gathering and distributing food to anyone in need. Community members may visit the pantry on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 6:30 P.M. for immediate food assistance.
Empty Bowls helps support that mission while bringing the community together around a shared commitment to caring for neighbors. To receive a handcrafted bowl, attendees are asked to donate $25 or bring a grocery bag containing non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, or fresh produce from local farms and gardens.
Every bowl tells a story, but the message of Empty Bowls is straightforward: no one in our community should face an empty table alone. Through a simple act of generosity, participants can help Fishes & Loaves continue its work of feeding thousands of local families each year.
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