For 25 years, Empty Bowls has brought people together around a shared table to care for neighbors facing hunger. Join us for a soup and cereal supper that nourishes both body and spirit while supporting local hunger relief ministries across Southeastern Michigan.
By Adrienne Trupiano
Communications Specialist
On Wednesday, February 18, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., the Fellowship Hall at the Birmingham First Campus will once again be filled with warmth, generosity, and community as Empty Bowls celebrates 25 years of impact with its annual Soup and Cereal Supper. Hosted by the Hunger Ministry of Birmingham & Berkley First United Methodist Church, this long-standing event invites the community to gather around a shared meal while supporting neighbors experiencing food insecurity across Southeastern Michigan.
Guests will enjoy an all-you-can-eat soup and cereal supper, with an impressive lineup of local restaurants generously contributing soup. For those with busy schedules, drive-thru preorders will also be available, making it easy to participate while still making a meaningful difference.
By Adrienne Trupiano
Communications Specialist
On Wednesday, February 18, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., the Fellowship Hall at the Birmingham First Campus will once again be filled with warmth, generosity, and community as Empty Bowls celebrates 25 years of impact with its annual Soup and Cereal Supper. Hosted by the Hunger Ministry of Birmingham & Berkley First United Methodist Church, this long-standing event invites the community to gather around a shared meal while supporting neighbors experiencing food insecurity across Southeastern Michigan.
Guests will enjoy an all-you-can-eat soup and cereal supper, with an impressive lineup of local restaurants generously contributing soup. For those with busy schedules, drive-thru preorders will also be available, making it easy to participate while still making a meaningful difference.
The Empty Bowls movement has deep local roots. It began in 1990 at Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills, where art teacher John Harom taught ceramics. After learning that the school district was falling short on its annual food drive, Harom invited his students to help. Together, they created handmade bowls to serve soup to school staff in exchange for monetary donations to the food drive. Guests were encouraged to keep their bowls as a reminder of the many empty bowls in the world.
In 1991, Harom and Lisa Blackburn created an information packet challenging potters and educators nationwide to host their own Empty Bowls events. That challenge sparked a global movement—and Birmingham First United Methodist Church was among those who took it up, using Empty Bowls as a way to raise funds for local soup kitchens and food pantries while grounding the event in community and compassion.
Over the past 25 years, Empty Bowls at Birmingham & Berkley First has brought people together year after year to share a meal and make a direct impact on hunger relief organizations, including Cass Community Social Services, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Baldwin Center, Redford Brightmoor Initiative, and Hope Warming Center. Proceeds from the event help provide food, warmth, and dignity to individuals and families throughout the region.
In 1991, Harom and Lisa Blackburn created an information packet challenging potters and educators nationwide to host their own Empty Bowls events. That challenge sparked a global movement—and Birmingham First United Methodist Church was among those who took it up, using Empty Bowls as a way to raise funds for local soup kitchens and food pantries while grounding the event in community and compassion.
Over the past 25 years, Empty Bowls at Birmingham & Berkley First has brought people together year after year to share a meal and make a direct impact on hunger relief organizations, including Cass Community Social Services, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Baldwin Center, Redford Brightmoor Initiative, and Hope Warming Center. Proceeds from the event help provide food, warmth, and dignity to individuals and families throughout the region.
Former Sunday School and Children’s Ministry teachers Mary Feldmaier and Sue Ives recall that the event has long reflected the church’s intergenerational spirit. Over the years, children created handmade bowls for guests to take home—not to serve soup, but as meaningful keepsakes that carried the reminder and mission of Empty Bowls beyond the evening itself. Many in our community may still have those bowls tucked away at home, quiet reminders of meals shared, hands that served, and a commitment to care for neighbors in need.
Empty Bowls is also powered by volunteers, and there’s a place for everyone to jump in. Volunteers of all ages help bring the evening to life by setting up, serving soup, selling tickets, assisting guests, and cleaning up at the end of the night. Each year, the Birmingham First Scouts are a joyful and familiar presence, lending helping hands and generous spirits throughout the event. Whether you can stay for an hour or the whole evening, volunteering is a fun, hands-on way to be part of the mission and experience the heart of Empty Bowls from the inside out.
Empty Bowls is also powered by volunteers, and there’s a place for everyone to jump in. Volunteers of all ages help bring the evening to life by setting up, serving soup, selling tickets, assisting guests, and cleaning up at the end of the night. Each year, the Birmingham First Scouts are a joyful and familiar presence, lending helping hands and generous spirits throughout the event. Whether you can stay for an hour or the whole evening, volunteering is a fun, hands-on way to be part of the mission and experience the heart of Empty Bowls from the inside out.
Rev. Sarah Alexander, Pastor of Congregational Care and clergy liaison to the Hunger Ministry, reflects on the heart of the event: “Empty Bowls reminds us that addressing hunger is both a practical and spiritual calling. When we gather at the table, we’re doing more than sharing a meal—we’re standing alongside our neighbors and affirming that no one should face hunger alone.”
This event continues a 25-year tradition at Birmingham & Berkley First United Methodist Church of turning compassion into action—one bowl, one meal, and one neighbor at a time. For more information and to purchase tickets click here. Tickets will also be on sale on Sunday, February 8 and 15 at both campuses after worship.
This event continues a 25-year tradition at Birmingham & Berkley First United Methodist Church of turning compassion into action—one bowl, one meal, and one neighbor at a time. For more information and to purchase tickets click here. Tickets will also be on sale on Sunday, February 8 and 15 at both campuses after worship.
