Empty Bowls 2026: A Community Comes Together
The results are in — and they are extraordinary.
This year's Empty Bowls event was a resounding success: more than 400 tickets sold, over 500 handmade bowls created by students and local potters, more than 50 gallons of soup donated, and over $10,000 raised for hunger relief in our community. And the giving isn't finished — pottery sales continue until every last bowl finds a home, with proceeds still coming in.
The funds raised are enough to cover a full year of both the Backpack Bites program and the Summer Lunch Program — ensuring that children in our community won't go hungry, no matter the season.
The evening brought together an extraordinary cross-section of Montgomery County. Students from Barnesville School, Poolesville High School, Wootton High School, and John Poole Middle School shaped and fired hundreds of bowls alongside local potters from across the county. Soup was donated by beloved local restaurants — Locals, The Crossvines, Coop's Soups, and Hooch & Banter — and the room was warm with the energy of people who showed up because they care.
KPC Buddhist Relief's Tara Wise and Alika Middleton — who also teaches art at Barnesville School and helped bring her students' bowls to the table — welcomed guests and set the tone for the evening. Then Dara Tokarz of KPC Buddhist Relief, Andrea Longton from PLFP/Poolesville Presbyterian Church (who coordinates the Backpack Bites program), and Katie Longbrake from WUMCO each spoke about what these programs mean — and what it looks like to sustain a cycle of kindness and compassion in our community. Dave Silbert from So What Else and Christina Moore from Shepherd's Table also came out to show their support. We were honored to welcome Marilyn Balcombe, as well as Mansfield "Kasey" Kaseman, former Interfaith Community Liaison.
Many members of the KPC sangha joined us — including Khenpo! — a reminder that this work is never separate from our practice.
Thank you to everyone who came, who gave, who made a bowl, stirred a pot, or simply showed up. And deepest gratitude to Jetsunma, whose example has always shown us what it looks like to work hard and open our hearts to all sentient beings.
