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- calendar_today October 27, 2026
Tickets Available for Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s Empty Bowls Event
Tickets are now on sale for the Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s second annual Empty Bowls event, which aims to bring the community together for hunger relief while enjoying a warm bowl of soup. The event is scheduled for Friday, November 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the food bank’s Jackson facility.
How the Event Works and Ticket Information
Attendees can purchase tickets for $15, either for dine-in or carry-out. For those in Cape Girardeau County, delivery is available at $16 per ticket, with a minimum order required. Tickets are available in advance through the Southeast Missouri Food Bank’s online portal or directly at their Jackson office, located at 4536 E. Jackson Blvd. Additionally, tickets will be sold at the door during the event, while supplies last. Each ticket includes a commemorative bowl to mark the occasion.
Community Involvement and Culinary Collaboration
This year’s Empty Bowls event highlights collaboration between local businesses, southeast missouri food bank, restaurants, students, and residents who share a commitment to community support and hunger relief. Multiple local restaurants are donating a variety of soups, offering attendees a wide selection of options.
For the first time, the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center’s Culinary Arts program is partnering with the food bank. This collaboration provides students with hands-on experience preparing meals for a community event, allowing them to develop culinary skills, teamwork, and community engagement.
Event Sponsors and Supporters
The event’s sponsors play a vital role in making Empty Bowls possible. Southern Bank serves as the Full Table Sponsor. Other significant Soup Sponsors include Feeding Missouri, KBSI, KFVS, Midwest Sterilization, Montgomery Bank, and Nationwide. Additional support comes from the generosity of local restaurants and other partners who donate food and resources for the event.
Addressing Food Insecurity and Hunger Relief in Southeast Missouri
Southeast Missouri Food Bank supports families, children, veterans, and seniors through a network of 140 partner agencies and direct-service programs covering 16 counties. According to the food bank, the region has some of the highest rates of food insecurity in Missouri, with 1 in 5 individuals, 1 in 4 children, and 1 in 8 seniors living in food-insecure households. The six most food-insecure counties in the state are located in southeast Missouri.
All proceeds from Empty Bowls go toward the food bank’s mission to end hunger and leverage the power of food to build healthy communities. The food bank organizes regular mobile distributions, provides monthly food boxes to 5,600 seniors, and offers weekend food backpacks to 1,100 students during the school year.
How to Get Involved and Learn More
Those interested in supporting the fight against food insecurity can purchase tickets, make tax-deductible contributions, donate food, or explore volunteering opportunities with Southeast Missouri Food Bank. For more details about the empty bowls event and ongoing food bank programs, visit semofoodbank.org.
Source: suntimesnews.com.
