10th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Area Food Pantries is April 21, 2026

We are pleased to announce the return of the Marinette & Menominee Empty Bowls fundraising event for participating local pantries. This event will be on April 21, 2026, from 5-7pm at Little River Country Club, N2235 Shore Dr, Marinette, WI 54143.

The M&M Area Empty Bowls 2026 marks the tenth year of making bowls to raise funds for individuals who are not sure where their next meal is coming from.  The bowls are hand made by students from Marinette Middle and High School.  No two bowls are alike, and attendees can select a bowl to take home.  

Tickets for the event are $15 each and are available online through the Tri-County United Way website, http://www.tcunitedway.org/emptybowls  ,  or in person starting March 23rd at St Vincent de Paul Thrift Store 1619 Main Street, and The Salvation Army 80 W. Russell Street, Marinette. 

Integral to this fundraiser are the businesses who will be supporting us with soup donations and sponsorships. Follow our event online as we thank our supporters! 

Tri-County United Way Executive Director, Melanie Stahl, says, “Empty Bowls is a powerful reminder that many of our neighbors face daily food insecurity. Its 10th‑year return is possible because organizations, volunteers, schools, and local businesses have united around the belief that no one should face an empty bowl. In partnership with St. Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army, the event strengthens the frontline food pantries meeting this critical need every day.  At Tri‑County United Way, our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities. Empty Bowls is that mission in action, and we’re proud to stand with our community partners to make it happen.”

“I was very excited to hear that the Empty Bowls program was going to be relaunched this year. In 2010, the Chamber’s Community Leadership Academy class initiated this international grassroot program in our area as their class project. It was very successful for a number of years in raising awareness and funds to fight hunger and food insecurity. I applaud the efforts of this new group of volunteers who have picked up the torch and are moving forward with a program that brings our community together on so many levels. There’s not a more basic need than making sure no one in our community goes hungry. I encourage everyone to please join in the effort to ensure this event is a huge success.” Jacqueline Boudreau, Executive Director M&M Chamber of Commerce

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable foods. Proceeds from the event and non-perishable food donations will support The Salvation Army (serving Marinette and Menominee Counties)  and St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marinette Food Pantry.

Contact:

Ashley Cambell
Executive Director
St Vincent de Paul Society of Marinette
715-735-6956 Ext 10, acampbell@svdpmarinette.com

 Or

Major Rhegan Stansbury
The Salvation Army
715-735-7448, rhegan.stansbury@usc.salvationarmy.org