Empty Bowls Wilmington Returns to Support Hunger Relief

The annual event raises funds for Good Shepherd Center's Soup Kitchen and Mother Hubbard's Cupboard food pantry.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Empty Bowls Wilmington, a long-running event that brings the community together to raise money for local hunger relief organizations, is returning on March 13th. The $50 ticket includes a specialty soup, an artisan bowl made by local artists, and the opportunity to share a meal with neighbors. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Good Shepherd Center's Soup Kitchen and Mother Hubbard's Cupboard food pantry, with a fundraising goal of $75,000 this year.

Why it matters

Empty Bowls Wilmington is a powerful event that directly addresses food insecurity in the Cape Fear region. As local funding shifts and needs continue to grow, the support generated through this event helps ensure that the Soup Kitchen and food pantry can continue serving consistent, nutritious meals throughout the year.

The details

The Empty Bowls event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on March 13th at the First Baptist Activity Center. The event has united potters, restaurants, volunteers, and neighbors for more than two decades, providing a simple meal with a bigger meaning.

  • Empty Bowls Wilmington will take place on March 13, 2026.
  • The event has been running for more than two decades.

The players

Good Shepherd Center

A local organization that operates a soup kitchen to provide meals for those in need.

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard

A local food pantry that works to alleviate hunger in the Cape Fear region.

Katrina Knight

The Executive Director of the Good Shepherd Center.

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What they’re saying

“Empty Bowls is powerful because it brings our community face to face with both the reality of hunger and the impact of collective action.”

— Katrina Knight, Executive Director of Good Shepherd Center (wwaytv3.com)

What’s next

Tickets for the 2026 Empty Bowls Wilmington event are on sale now and can be purchased online.

The takeaway

The Empty Bowls Wilmington event is a long-standing tradition that brings the community together to support local hunger relief organizations, demonstrating the power of collective action to address pressing social issues.