Campus News

Juniata College Hosts 19th Annual Empty Bowls Event to Combat Hunger

(Posted October 21, 2025)

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HUNTINGDON, Pa. – In celebration of National Tackling Hunger Month, Juniata College proudly hosts the 19th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser to combat food insecurity in Huntingdon County. This year’s events will be held both in-person and online, offering multiple ways to support this important cause. 

Empty Bowls will kick off with the opening of online shopping at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, with handmade bowls available for purchase at https://emptybowlsjuniata.square.site/ Bowls sold online will be available for pickup on Thursday, October 30 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. from the Good Hall parking lot, 1722 Moore St., Huntingdon, PA 16652.  

An in-person event featuring soups from local eateries and home cooks served in the handmade bowl of the diner’s choice will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, at Stone Church of the Brethren, 1623 Moore St., Huntingdon, PA 16652. Tickets can be purchased through the online store and at the event on Saturday, November 1. 

Empty Bowls is an annual fundraiser hosted by Juniata faculty, staff, and students to benefit four local food banks and the area elementary school backpack programs. To date, this event has raised over $93,000 for its beneficiaries. All money raised benefits Huntingdon County residents.  

“Empty Bowls has been a part of my life since I founded an Empty Bowls event for Carbondale, Illinois, while in graduate school,” said Bethany Benson Burns, chair of the Art Department at Juniata. “When I moved to Huntingdon, it was a quick way to ground myself and begin working with and for the community. There is nothing more important to me than giving back and teaching my students the value of meaningful civic engagement.”  

All bowls made for the event were created by students enrolled in Empty Bowls Practicum, faculty, and friends of Juniata College.   

The event is organized by Benson Burns; Robert Boryk, instructor of art; Lisa Baer, Catholic campus minister and coordinator of campus ministry; Lorri Panaia, director of conferences and events; and Jennifer Troha.  

Tickets can be purchased in advance through the online store https://emptybowlsjuniata.square.site/. Adult tickets cost $20, Juniata student and seniors tickets cost $18, children under the age of 5 go free to the in-person event. 

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.