Here's what you should know ahead of the 31st annual Empty Bowls fundraiser in Las Cruces

Leah Romero, Las Cruces Sun-News
·3 min read

Fall is soup season, which means the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser is right around the corner in support of El Caldito Soup Kitchen.

Empty Bowls is an annual national fundraiser that benefits local soup kitchens. The Potters’ Guild of Las Cruces has hosted the event in Las Cruces for 31 years in support of El Caldito, which is part of the Community of Hope campus.

El Caldito is a nonprofit organization that provides free hot meals to those who are hungry five days a week, along with a sack lunch on Saturdays.

All are welcome to attend the fundraising event. Some people in the community have attended each year and have the bowls to show for their support of feeding the hungry.

People gather to participate in the Empty Bowls of Las Cruces event held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021.
People gather to participate in the Empty Bowls of Las Cruces event held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021.

How does Empty Bowls work?

Attendees can purchase a ticket for admission and are then able to choose from a variety of handmade bowls to take home and a serving of soup from the participating restaurants.

The 2023 Empty Bowls event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, located at 225 W. Griggs Ave.

According to guild president Jan Archey, Empty Bowls will feature over 1,000 handmade bowls and over 40 local restaurants that have donated soup. Bowls will be set out in waves to make sure attendees do not run out of options.

Archey said $32,500 was raised for El Caldito in 2022. Event organizers took on the larger goal of reaching $42,000 this year.

“What a blessing it is to be able to use one’s talent to make someone else’s life better,” Archey said.

Admission is $25 per person, which includes a bowl and lunch. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or ahead of time at:

  • Be Sew Creative

  • Spanish Kitchen

  • Color Your World Garden Center

  • Save Mart

  • The Potteries in Mesilla

  • New Digs Clothing Exchange

  • El Caldito Soup Kitchen

  • Agave Artists Cooperative Gallery in Mesilla

  • Via members of the Potters’ Guild of Las Cruces

Herb Torres of El Caldito Soup Kitchen serves soup at the Empty Bowls of Las Cruces event at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021.
Herb Torres of El Caldito Soup Kitchen serves soup at the Empty Bowls of Las Cruces event at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021.

What else does Empty Bowls offer?

A table of special priced bowls, sculptures, yard art and other items will also be set up on Friday.

Las Colcheras Quilters Guild once again donated two handmade quilts that will be available to place bids on or sold through chances. People can place bids in-person at Empty Bowls for the first quilt and it will be awarded to the highest bidder Monday, Oct. 16.

Mesilla Valley Estate Sales is hosting an online auction in support of Empty Bowls with dozens of art pieces available to bid on. The auction closes at 6 p.m. Oct. 19.

The auction can be found online at nmestateauctions.com.

Organizers added a new aspect to Empty Bowls this year called Wine and Dine. Archey explained that local wineries and restaurants donated wine and meal gift cards. People will have the chance to purchase a surprise gift card, as well as handmade wine cups and goblets.

Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on X, formerly Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Here's what you should know ahead of Las Cruces' Empty Bowls fundraiser