CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 15th annual Empty Bowls began Sunday at Gateway Christian Church and will continue throughout the week at other churches around Montgomery County. Empty Bowls helps raise awareness about hunger and supports local agencies that are working to keep people fed.

Loaves & Fishes Clarksville and Clarksville Area Urban Ministries are the two organizations benefitting from this year’s fundraiser. A meal is served at each Empty Bowls lunch or dinner and includes soup, bread, dessert and a hand-painted bowl. Over the past few months, many churches, businesses and other groups have been holding bowl-painting parties as another way to raise funds and supply the bowls needed for the event.

15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
15th Annual Empty Bowls at Gateway Christian Church, benefitting Loaves & Fishes and Urban Ministries on Feb. 19, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

As the event was going on at Gateway Christian Church, Don Kimberly, a volunteer and organizer of Empty Bowls for the church, said so far they had served dinner to more than 100 people. “This was our first go-around for Empty Bowls. At Gateway we have four teams that serve at Loaves & Fishes, and we also serve Urban Ministries with collections of goods and money. So, we said what better way to help impact both of those ministries and make a difference,” Kimberly said.

Tickets are $15 for a meal at Empty Bowls. Tickets can be purchased at participating churches or online at clarksvilleurbanministries.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 21:

  • Lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 317 Frankin St.
  • Lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 2041 Madison St.
  • Dinner, 4:30-7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 213 Main St.
  • Dinner, 4:30-7 p.m., Sango United Methodist Church, 3301 Sango Rd.

Thursday, Feb. 23: 

  • Lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., New Providence United Methodist Church, 1317 Fort Campbell Blvd.

Saturday, Feb. 25:

  • Lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Hilldale United Methodist Church 1751 Madison St.
  • Lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3242 Hwy. 41A South

HOW TO HELP: For more information on local charities, go to #ClarksvilleStrong.