Empty Bowls 2026:
A Community Success

A Community Feast to Support the Trumansburg Food Pantry

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We are thrilled to announce that our October 2026 Empty Bowls fundraiser at Atlas Bowl was a complete sell-out, raising over $11,000 for the Trumansburg Food Pantry!

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This incredible milestone was made possible by the unwavering generosity of our community. Every dollar raised goes directly toward keeping our shelves stocked and ensuring our neighbors have barrier-free access to fresh, high-quality groceries.

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A success of this magnitude takes a village. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to every single person who attended, volunteered, and contributed to this unforgettable afternoon.

Our Hosts, Sponsors & Organizers

The foundation of this event was built by local leaders who stepped up to ensure its success. A massive thank you to our incredible hosts at Atlas Bowl (thank you, Todd Parlato!) for opening your doors and giving this gathering such a welcoming home.

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We also extend our deep appreciation to our generous event sponsors. Between offsetting event costs and making direct contributions, your financial support ensured that every single ticket sold went straight toward feeding our neighbors:

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• The Gemm Shop

• Tompkins Community Bank

• Spotted Sandpiper

• Kelly Skeval

A special round of applause goes to our dedicated organizers - Sarah Brainard, Cori Vogel, and Nana Potenza - whose hard work, logistics, and passion brought this entire vision to life.

Our Culinary Partners

The heart of our Empty Bowls event was the amazing food we all shared. Our guests enjoyed unlimited servings of delicious, comforting soups, all donated by outstanding local restaurants and caterers. Thank you to these businesses for filling our bowls:

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• Thai Grasshopper

• JoJo Cooks

• Kiely’s Cooking

• Diamond on Seneca

• Falls Tavern

• Little Venice

• Main Street Market

• Word of Mouth Catering

• American Legion

To complete the feast, Wide Awake Bakery generously provided their incredible fresh bread, and our wonderful area churches baked homemade cookies for everyone to enjoy.

Our Ceramic Artists & Studios

The physical centerpiece of the gathering was the stunning array of handmade ceramic bowls. Each ticket holder selected a one-of-a-kind piece to take home - a beautiful, tangible reminder of the "empty bowls" in our community that we are all working together to fill.

We owe a massive thank you to the immensely talented local artists, hobbyists, studios, and students who donated their time, clay, and creativity:

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• Perfect Mug Pottery (Jen Myers)

• West End Ceramics

• ED Pottery (Elizabeth Dawson)

• Salmon Pottery Studio & Gallery (Mary Ellen & Friends)

• Trumansburg High School Ceramics Class (Ellen Pennock)

• Laura Burch

• La Romano Pottery

• Maureen Shallish

• Diane VanDeldin

• Lynn Trudell

• Shirley Brown & Friends

• Limor Fix

• Scott Sutcliff

• Jennifer Tavares

• Gordon Bonnet

Our Raffle & Auction Donors

Beyond the meal, the excitement in the room was entirely due to our packed raffle and silent auction tables. We are incredibly grateful to the local businesses, farms, artisans, and neighbors who donated such incredible prizes:

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• Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival

• Sweet Land Farm

• Minus One Jewelry

• Creekside Cafe

• Gimme! Coffee

• New Park Event Venue

• Jenny Creek Flowers

• Swamp Road Baskets (Jamin Uticone)

• Cole Sheckler Jewelry

• Sundrees

• Swirl Wine & Spirits

• Trimmers Ice Cream

• The Coffee Shed

• Not My Dad's Ice Cream Bar

• Honeybee Embassy

• Tburg Honey

• Cayuga Sunrise Farm

• Jane George @ Labelle

• Wixom Farm

• Frankie Rose Fabrics

• Q Cassetti

• Laurel O'Brien

• Marcia Sheavly

• Denise Milito

• Annie Campbell

• Sarah Koski

• Amy Puryear

• Gordon Whitaker

Continue the Momentum

Our deep appreciation for this community extends year-round. If you missed the Empty Bowls event but still want to help us keep our shelves stocked as we head into the winter months, your support is always welcome.

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You can make a secure, tax-deductible donation anytime online, or mail a check to PO Box 162, Trumansburg, NY 14886.​​​