Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Jones.
Hi Molly , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As Co-Chair of Empty Bowls McKinney, we are excited to being having our 15th annual event on April 23rd, 2026. Started as a very simple event, our mission remains the same. We raise money to purchase food for those in need. We work closely with 4 organizations in McKinney that work directly on food distribution.
The Empty Bowls event is a festival that combines the work of many artisans, students and volunteers to create and paint ceramic bowls and area food purveyors that donate samplings for the event. For the admission price of $35 guests are able to select a hand crafted bowl to remind them in their homes of the needs of others and sample soups and delicacies from 12 restaurants. In addition there is a live silent auction, live music and other opportunities to purchase bowls. It is a beloved social event of Spring for the community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our only struggle has been the rapid growth of the event!! From a simple soup supper in our church to raise money to buy hams for Easter baskets, we quickly out grew the church, moved to the McKinney Performing Arts Center, then moved to closing off a street in downtown McKinney!! This year the event we will move to Tupps brewery!
We coordinate the making and painting of over 14oo bowls, 12 food purveyors, 100 volunteers, and over 100 guests at the event. We have 4 beneficiaries of the funds and are able to donate over $80,000 to fight huger in our community.
The City and Community Support has been tremendous!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Volunteering has always been part of my life. Now as a semi-retired individual Co-chairing Empty Bowls has been the most challenging and rewarding endeavor. My background in business has helped me to raise funds, coordinate events and guide our committee chairs and volunteers in their tasks. There are Empty Bowls events nationwide, but being in McKinney we are fortunate to have Pottery studios, numerous artists and a great selection of restaurants to make our event stand our with it’s festival like atmosphere. The City and the community have embraced this event and made it possible. Our beneficiaries all work to help those in need in very individual ways so we can reach more people.
Pricing:
- General Admission $35.00
- Workshops $35-$40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emptybowlsmckinney.com
- Facebook: Empty Bowls McKinney
Image Credits
Mark Bishop Photography
