Albuquerque Empty Bowls - 2026
Stamp it in your soup passport.
Next edition
The 2027 date isn't out yet
Usually held around mid-October.
Based on 2 past editions
Event Details
- Date & Time
- Saturday, October 24, 2026
Programme
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Saint John’s United Methodist Church
2626 Arizona St. NE, Albuquerque
Empty Bowls fundraiser: 1,038 handmade bowls, food donated by sixteen local restaurants and businesses, two serving lines and more seating.
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11 AM -2 PM
"Dinner and a show": 3 of Albuquerque's best singer-songwriters, Jacques Dorier, Kathy Liden and Patrick Matteson
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11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Drop-in soup meal: guests select a handcrafted bowl and enjoy soup, bread and dessert; two serving lines
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About This Event
Albuquerque Empty Bowls is a charity soup fundraiser organised by New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists (NMPCA) with the Albuquerque ceramics community, benefiting The Storehouse New Mexico, a community food pantry. The 2026 edition is on Saturday, October 24, 2026, as a drop-in meal between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona Street NE, Albuquerque. Guests pick one of over 1,000 bowls handcrafted by New Mexico ceramic artists (1,038 collected) and enjoy soup, bread and dessert donated by sixteen local restaurants and businesses, with two serving lines, more seating, 65 volunteers and live music from three local singer-songwriters.
The cause
Fundraiser against food insecurity: 100% of funds raised benefit The Storehouse New Mexico, a nonprofit community-based food pantry that provides free groceries to people in need. Part of the worldwide grassroots Empty Bowls movement.
History
Local potters brought Empty Bowls back to Albuquerque, with NMPCA helping. 2023 raised over $20,000; the 2024 edition (Saturday, September 28, 2024, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. John’s UMC, $35 including bowl, soup, bread, dessert and drink) raised over $20,000 (also stated as over $21,000); 2025 raised over $27,000. In total over $67,000.00 has been raised for The Storehouse NM.
On the menu
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By St. John’s
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Kimchi Stew with pork and tofu
By Ex Novo
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Cream of Mushroom Broccoli
By Ex Novo
Vegetarian
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Cream of Green Chile Chicken
By Christy Mae’s Restaurant
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Chicken Noodle
By Christy Mae’s Restaurant
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Spicy Garlic Tofu Curry
By VM Coffee
Vegan
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Harissa Spiced French Green Lentil & Potato
By Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Vegan, gluten-free (GF)
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Green Chile Turkey
By La Salita Restaurant
Spanish Rice & Green Chile; GF (gluten-free)
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Tomato Bisque
By Tula’s
Vegetarian
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Sweet Potato Soup
By Chef Scott Sharot
With green chile; lime cream garnish on the condiment table; vegetarian
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Cream of Mushroom Broccoli (Vegetarian)
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Spicy Garlic Tofu Curry (Vegan)
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Harissa Spiced French Green Lentil & Potato (Vegan GF)
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Green Chile Turkey (Spanish Rice & Green Chile GF)
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Posole (with pork, Red Chile on the condiment table)
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Tomato Bisque (Vegetarian)
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Sweet Potato Soup (with green chile, lime cream garnish on the condiment table; Vegetarian)
Also served
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Assorted Rolls
By Great Harvest Bread Co. and Sergio’s Italian Bakery
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Tortillas
By La Salita
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Assorted Desserts
By The Range Cafe and Flying Star
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Cookies
By Costco
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Plain Water
By Trader Joe’s and Sprouts
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Flavoured Sparkling Water
By Whole Foods
Who's who
Organised by
- Melissa Alexander Committee chair
- Mary Donato Committee member
- James Creamer Committee member
- Rosalie Hipple Committee member
- Leonard Baca Committee member
- Amy Lavender Committee member
- Danee Gallegos Committee member
- Charlotte Ownby Committee member
- Teresa Carson Committee member
- New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists (benefiting The Storehouse New Mexico)
- New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists (NMPCA) – Albuquerque Empty Bowls committee
Supported by
- Saint John’s United Methodist Church Host venue; its staff lend a helping hand; sponsor; makes the New England Clam Chowder
- State Employees Credit Union 2026 sponsor
- New Mexico Gas Company 2026 sponsor
- Creativity Warehouse 2026 sponsor; pottery studio where bowls are made
- Burque Throwdown 2026 sponsor; members donate their bowls there
- BPS Business Printing Service 2026 sponsor
- New Mexico Clay 2026 sponsor
- Coyote Clay & Color 2026 sponsor
- Cerámica Pottery Studio 2026 sponsor
- BIG 98.5 2026 media sponsor (radio)
- Coyote 102.5 2026 media sponsor (radio)
- Fuego 102.9 2026 media sponsor (radio)
- Mix 105.1 2026 media sponsor (radio)
Taking part
- Christy Mae’s Restaurant 2026 sponsor; makes the Cream of Green Chile Chicken and the Chicken Noodle soups
- Great Harvest Bread Co. 2026 sponsor; assorted rolls
- La Salita Restaurant 2026 sponsor; Green Chile Turkey soup and tortillas
- Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar (Farina Downtown) 2026 sponsor; Harissa Spiced French Green Lentil & Potato soup
- The Range Cafe 2026 sponsor; assorted desserts
- VM Coffee 2026 sponsor (VM); Spicy Garlic Tofu Curry
- Tula’s Kitchen 2026 sponsor; Tomato Bisque
- Loyola’s Family Restaurant 2026 sponsor; Posole
- Ex Novo Brewing Company 2026 sponsor; Kimchi Stew with pork and tofu and Cream of Mushroom Broccoli
- Scott Sharot Chef / Cooking Classes; 2026 sponsor; Sweet Potato Soup
- Flying Star Cafe 2026 sponsor; assorted desserts
- Sergio’s Italian Bakery & Cafe 2026 sponsor; assorted rolls
- Whole Foods Market 2026 sponsor; flavoured sparkling water
- Costco Wholesale 2026 sponsor; cookies
- Sprouts Farmers Market 2026 sponsor; plain water
- Trader Joe’s 2026 sponsor; plain water
On stage
- Jacques Dorier Singer-songwriter, "Dinner and a show"
- Kathy Liden Singer-songwriter, "Dinner and a show"
- Patrick Matteson Singer-songwriter, "Dinner and a show"
Also involved
- The Storehouse New Mexico Beneficiary: 100% of funds raised go to this community food pantry
- Caleb Esquivel Named on the page as "Caleb Esquivel Ceramics, Drawing & Painting"; role not stated
Contacts
- (505) 508-1762 Burque Throwdown, 400 Coal Ave SW Ste B2, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (members donate their bowls there)
- 505-299-6168 Creativity Warehouse, 1950 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112 (bowl making)
Good to know
- Tickets on sale via GoFundMe: https://pro.gofundme.com/event/storehouse-empty-bowls-2026/e803081
- Beneficiary: all funds raised benefit The Storehouse New Mexico.
- Potters can donate bowls (flyer on the NMPCA site); volunteers can help on the day by contacting a committee member; sponsorship is possible.
- Committee: Chair Melissa Alexander, Mary Donato, James Creamer, Rosalie Hipple, Leonard Baca, Amy Lavender, Danee Gallegos, Charlotte Ownby and Teresa Carson.
- Bowls are made by local potters and studios such as Burque Throwdown (400 Coal Ave SW Ste B2, Albuquerque) and Creativity Warehouse (1950 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Albuquerque).
- Drop in any time between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
- Two serving lines and more seating this year
- 65 volunteers and the staff of Saint John’s United Methodist Church help run the event
- Sixteen local restaurants and businesses donated food
- Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free (GF) soups are marked on the menu; condiments (red chile, lime cream) on the condiment table
- Ways to help: donate bowls (bowl donation flyer), attend and buy tickets, volunteer on the day by contacting a committee member
- Bowls are donated by local potters; Burque Throwdown members donate their bowls there
Everything the announcement says
Every detail, as the festival announced it.
Albuquerque Empty Bowls 2026 (also "Empty Bowls ABQ"), benefiting The Storehouse New Mexico.
Saturday October 24, 2026; drop in between 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.
St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona Street Northeast (2626 Arizona St. NE), Albuquerque, NM 87110.
$35.00 Donation; Children under 12, $5.00 no bowl.
Attendees select a bowl handcrafted by New Mexico ceramic artists and enjoy a meal of soup, bread and dessert donated by local restaurants. The souvenir bowl guests take home will remind them of all the empty bowls in the world.
100% of funds raised benefit The Storehouse NM; "we have raised over $67,000.00". Over 1000 bowls to select from.
Our 2026 Sponsors: State Employees Credit Union, New Mexico Gas Company, Christy Mae's, Great Harvest Bread Co, La Salita, Farina Downtown, Range Cafe, VM, Tula's Kitchen, Loyola's Family Restaurant, Ex Novo Brewing Company, Scott Sharot Chef / Cooking Classes, Flying Star Cafe, Sergio's Italian Bakery & Cafe, Whole Foods Market, Costco Wholesale, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe's, St. John's United Methodist Church, Creativity Warehouse, Burque Throwdown, BPS Business Printing Service, New Mexico Clay, Coyote Clay & Color, New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists, Cerámica Pottery Studio, BIG 98.5, Coyote 102.5, Fuego 102.9, Mix 105.1.
Tickets via QR code on the flyer and online ("Tickets On Sale": https://pro.gofundme.com/event/storehouse-empty-bowls-2026/e803081). For more information https://nmpotters.org/Albuquerque-Empty-Bowls
Empty Bowls ABQ 2026, 24-October: "Dinner and a show" — 3 of Albuquerque's best singer-songwriters: Jacques Dorier, Kathy Liden, Patrick Matteson; St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, 11 AM - 2 PM.
Page: "Join us this Saturday, October 24, 2026, for Albuquerque Empty Bowls!" Thanks to local ceramics studios and members, 1,038 bowls were collected. 65 dedicated volunteers will help, along with the staff at Saint John’s United Methodist Church. Two serving lines welcome guests and keep the crowd flowing. Sixteen local restaurants and businesses donated their time, food and resources to fill the bowls. "We look forward to seeing you on Saturday as we support The Storehouse New Mexico!"
"What is new this year, we are expanding, with two serving lines and more seating."
How to help: make bowls (bowl donation flyer), attend and buy tickets, help on the day of the event by contacting a member of the committee. Committee: Chair Melissa Alexander, Mary Donato, James Creamer, Rosalie Hipple, Leonard Baca, Amy Lavender, Danee Gallegos, Charlotte Ownby and Teresa Carson.
Menu: St. John’s – New England Clam Chowder; Ex Novo – Kimchi Stew with pork and tofu; Ex Novo – Cream of Mushroom Broccoli (Vegetarian); Christy Mae’s Restaurant – Cream of Green Chile Chicken; Christy Mae’s Restaurant – Chicken Noodle; VM Coffee – Spicy Garlic Tofu Curry (Vegan); Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar – Harissa Spiced French Green Lentil & Potato (Vegan GF); La Salita Restaurant – Green Chile Turkey (Spanish Rice & Green Chile, GF); Loyola’s Family Restaurant – Posole (with pork, Red Chile on the condiment table); Tula’s – Tomato Bisque (Vegetarian); Chef Scott Sharot – Sweet Potato Soup (with green chile, lime cream garnish on the condiment table, Vegetarian); Trader Joe’s – Plain Water; Sprouts – Plain Water; Whole Foods – Flavoured Sparkling Water; Great Harvest Bread Co. – Assorted Rolls; Sergio’s Italian Bakery – Assorted Rolls; La Salita – Tortillas; The Range Cafe – Assorted Desserts; Flying Star – Assorted Desserts; Costco – Cookies. Second servings of soup are available.
Bowls are donated by local potters. Burque Throwdown, 400 Coal Ave SW Ste B2, Albuquerque, NM 87102, (505) 508-1762: members donate their bowls there. Creativity Warehouse, 1950 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112, 505-299-6168.
Albuquerque Empty Bowls is Albuquerque’s version of the grassroots Empty Bowls movement by artists and craftspeople worldwide raising money for food-related charities (https://emptybowls.com).
Past editions: 2025 raised over $27,000; 2024 raised over $20,000 (also stated as over $21,000); 2023 raised over $20,000 — all for The Storehouse New Mexico.
1,038 bowls collected, 65 volunteers, sixteen local restaurants and businesses, two serving lines. Beneficiary The Storehouse New Mexico.
Albuquerque Empty Bowls is on Saturday, October 24, 2026; drop in between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona Street Northeast, Albuquerque, NM. Admission is a $35.00 donation; children under 12 pay $5.00 without a bowl. Attendees choose a bowl handcrafted by New Mexico ceramic artists, from over 1,000 bowls, and enjoy a meal of soup, bread and dessert donated by local restaurants; the souvenir bowl they take home is a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. 100% of the funds raised benefit The Storehouse New Mexico; the event has raised over $67,000. Tickets via the QR code; more information at https://nmpotters.org/Albuquerque-Empty-Bowls. 2026 sponsors include State Employees Credit Union, New Mexico Gas Company, Whole Foods Market, Costco, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe's, Flying Star Cafe, Range Cafe, La Salita, Sergio's Italian Bakery & Cafe and many more local businesses and radio stations.
Albuquerque Empty Bowls menu. Soups and who makes them: St. John's: New England Clam Chowder; Ex Novo: Kimchi Stew with pork and tofu; Ex Novo: Cream of Mushroom Broccoli (Vegetarian); Christy Mae's Restaurant: Cream of Green Chile Chicken; Christy Mae's Restaurant: Chicken Noodle; VM Coffee: Spicy Garlic Tofu Curry (Vegan); Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar: Harissa Spiced French Green Lentil & Potato (Vegan GF); La Salita Restaurant: Green Chile Turkey (Spanish Rice & Green Chile GF); Loyola's Family Restaurant: Posole (with pork, Red Chile on the condiment table); Tula's: Tomato Bisque (Vegetarian); Chef Scott Sharot: Sweet Potato Soup (with green chile, lime cream garnish on the condiment table; Vegetarian). Drinks, bread and desserts: Trader Joe's: Plain Water; Sprouts: Plain Water; Whole Foods: Flavoured Sparkling Water; Great Harvest Bread Co.: Assorted Rolls; Sergio's Italian Bakery: Assorted Rolls; La Salita: Tortillas; The Range Cafe: Assorted Desserts; Flying Star: Assorted Desserts; Costco: Cookies. Second servings of soup are available. The Storehouse New Mexico logo appears on the menu.
Empty Bowls ABQ 2026 on 24 October, 11 AM to 2 PM, at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Billed as "dinner and a show" with three of Albuquerque's best singer-songwriters: Jacques Dorier, Kathy Liden and Patrick Matteson.
Save the date: Albuquerque Empty Bowls 2026 takes place on October 24, 2026. The event is linked to The Storehouse New Mexico (logo shown). No time, venue or price for the 2026 edition is printed.
Festival information may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Always check with the organizer before travelling.
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Location
St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, New Mexico, United States
Confirm the venue and access information with the organizer before travelling.
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Prices and tickets
- Donation (adults)
- $35.00
- Children under 12, no bowl
- $5.00
What's included
- A bowl handcrafted by New Mexico ceramic artists, taken home as a souvenir (over 1000 bowls to select from)
- A meal of soup, bread and dessert donated by local restaurants
- Second servings of soup are available
- Children under 12 ($5.00) get no bowl
How to get tickets
- Tickets on sale online: https://pro.gofundme.com/event/storehouse-empty-bowls-2026/e803081
- Tickets also via the QR code on the flyer