Empty Bowls Festival returns to fund Community Cupboard

LEAVENWORTH - The Upper Valley Empty Bowls Festival, a fundraiser supporting Leavenworth's Community Cupboard Food Bank, has announced its 2025 schedule of events running January 31 through March 27.

The festival generates over $15,000 annually, providing more than 50 percent of the food bank's operating budget. These funds support food boxes for over 1,000 local households each year and fund an art grant program for artists working with Cascade School District students.

The event series begins with Glazing Days, scheduled for January 31 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and continuing February 1-3 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Community members can paint bowls, which will be fired and available for pickup at the March Community Soup Supper. Volunteers will provide guidance, and local artists will decorate bowls for the March online auction.

An Artist Reception is set for March 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Icicle Ridge Winery, featuring wine, appetizers, and music. Attendees can preview the auction pieces and meet participating artists.

The 29th annual online auction runs March 16-26 on www.uvemptybowls.org. Bowls and platters created by local artists and potters will be available for bidding, with immediate purchase options.

The festival concludes with the Community Soup Supper at the Leavenworth Festhalle on March 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event includes community members collecting their finished bowls and sharing a meal prepared with food donated by local restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores.

For additional information about the Upper Valley Empty Bowls Festival, visit www.uvemptybowls.org.