Interfaith Community Services Empty Bowls Fundraiser Returns March 1st to the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center

Interfaith Community Services (ICS) is pleased to announce that Empty Bowls 2025, our largest annual fundraiser, will take place on Saturday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, located at 1288 W. River Road. Tickets, priced at $40 each, went on sale on January 6 and can be purchased at https://www.icstucson.org/emptybowls/.

“Empty Bowls is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a powerful reminder of what ICS represents: volunteerism, generosity, and community,” said Tom McKinney, CEO of ICS. “This event brings people together to support our mission and make a tangible difference for thousands of families in need.”

In 2024, ICS food banks, in partnership with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, distributed 2.4 million pounds of food throughout Pima County, offering crucial assistance to those in need.

ICS services extend far beyond emergency food assistance. The organization also offers emergency financial aid to help prevent evictions and utility shutoffs, as well as life advancement programs that assist individuals in moving from crisis to stability. These include financial literacy training, job search support through the ICS Workforce Development office, and assistance for single mothers completing college degrees.

ICS Senior Services provide mobile meals, transportation to medical appointments and shopping, social interaction, and other vital support that allow older adults and individuals with disabilities to live independently in their own homes.

“Proceeds from Empty Bowls directly benefit ICS food banks and the many services we provide to support individuals and families across Pima County,” said Andrea Dillenburg, Senior Director of Development and Communications. “We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of over a hundred volunteers and the ongoing support from the Tucson community. Our goal is to raise vital funds to combat food insecurity and address the significant challenges facing many in our community.”

Attendees of Empty Bowls will enjoy signature soups, breads, and desserts generously donated by local restaurants and food partners, while also having the chance to bid in a silent auction featuring jewelry, artwork, home décor, unique experiences, and more. Attendees can preview auction items online in the week leading up to the event. Whether attending or not, anyone can participate in the online auction, which opens to the public on February 28 and closes at 1 p.m. on March 1, when winning bids will be announced.

Each attendee will also select a handmade pottery bowl to take home, crafted and donated by Tucson’s talented local artists.

Each year, dozens of local potters contribute over 1,500 unique bowls, serving as a poignant reminder of hunger in our community. The event’s food vendors provide a diverse array of delicious soups, offering an opportunity for the entire community to come together, share a meal, and support a worthy cause.

For more information about Empty Bowls, to purchase tickets, or to make a donation, please visit https://www.icstucson.org/emptybowls/.