The North Texas Food Bank will host its 26th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser on Feb. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Perot Family Campus in Plano. Presented by Kroger, the evening invites the community to gather for a meaningful experience centered on food, creativity and impact.
Empty Bowls pairs tastings from local chefs with beverages, live jazz and the chance to take home a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted bowl created by local artists. The tradition highlights a simple truth: hunger is real in North Texas, and addressing it requires collective action.
According to Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, the event’s impact has grown steadily over the past 26 years. Together with Kroger, Empty Bowls has helped provide nearly nine million meals for children, families and seniors across the region, with continued support ranging from food donations to financial contributions.
What To Expect
The evening includes live entertainment by the Texas Jazz Cats, a wine pull and a silent auction. Each guest will select a handcrafted bowl to take home, a tangible reminder that not everyone in the community has access to a full bowl.
Culinary Spotlight
This year’s celebrity chef is Nikky Phinyawatana, founder and chef of Asian Mint. Known for her thoughtful approach to Thai cuisine, she has earned recognition from Eater Dallas and CultureMap, and debuted her cookbook, Thai Food and Travel with Chef Nikky, in 2024. Her participation adds a personal and flavorful layer to the evening’s mission.
Why It Matters
Proceeds from Empty Bowls support the North Texas Food Bank’s hunger relief programs at a time when need remains high. Texas continues to rank first nationally for food insecurity, with nearly 744,000 people across the organization’s 12-county service area unsure where their next meal will come from. About one-third of those impacted are children.
John Votava, director of corporate affairs for Kroger’s Dallas Division, noted that the company’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste commitment drives year-round collaboration with the North Texas Food Bank to ensure families have access to fresh, nutritious food when they need it most.
Photo: North Texas Food Bank
Tickets And Support
Tickets for the 21-and-older event are $100, with each ticket helping provide approximately 300 meals for neighbors in need. Tickets are available at ntfb.org/event/empty-bowls-2026
Sponsorship opportunities for Empty Bowls remain available. For more information, contact [email protected]
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