Milwaukee, WI – Event aims to raise $70,000 for NourishMKE to combat food insecurity for tens of thousands of families in Milwaukee by featuring artisan handmade bowls and soups from your favorite local restaurants.

What: Empty Bowls: An Event Supporting NourishMKE
Where: Kern Center at MSOE (1245 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202)
When: October 5, 2025 from 11:00 PM-2:00 PM
Details: www.NourishMKE.org/Empty-Bowls/

Join us Sunday, October 5th from 11a.m.-2 p.m. at the Kern Center at MSOE to purchase a one-of-a-kind bowl–handmade and donated by a local artisan, each one as unique as the community members we serve. At the event, enjoy a wide array of soup samples from local restaurants showcasing the diversity of Milwaukee’s food scene. We’ll have a variety of beverages, live music, live pottery demonstrations, and more. All proceeds from the event will support the mission of NourishMKE, which provides more than 50,000 individuals with over 1 million pounds of food annually.

“When our community comes together, real change happens,” said Valerie MacMillan, Executive Director of NourishMKE. “Empty Bowls turns a simple meal into a powerful act of care for neighbors facing food insecurity.”

Raising money to nourish Milwaukee families is more important now than ever. With evolving federal policies on food programs and a challenging job market, the need continues to rise each year. Support is needed to ensure all families have access to healthy, nourishing, and free groceries. Empty Bowls offers a fun, family-friendly way to support this worthy cause.

Participating Restaurants: Cafe Corazon, Glorioso’s, The Bartolotta Restaurants, Temple Goddess, Avli, The Hilton, The Soup Market, Il Cervo, Cloud Red, Outpost Co-Op, Riverwest Co-op, Purple Door Ice Cream, Breadsmith & more!

Major Sponsors: “Filled to the Brim” Lead Sponsor: AMCS Incorporated – #1 Milwaukee Carpentry Firm Special thanks to: WMSE Radio Station, Cream City Clay, Outpost Co-Op

About: NourishMKE is Milwaukee’s largest network of community food centers, where neighbors can select and prepare free, quality food with dignity, while sharing relationships and experiences that support wellness in all areas of life.