FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jessica Sund
Director of Development and Communications
507-424-1729
[email protected]
October 15, 2025
ROCHESTER, Minn.—The last day for purchasing Empty Bowls soup is Thursday.
Channel One Regional Food Bank and presenting sponsor Think Bank announce that Empty Bowls pre-orders will close at 12 p.m. Thursday, October 16. Because this event is pre-order only, we cannot accommodate walk-up orders onsite. People will be able to select their desired pick-up time between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. either Tuesday, October 21 or Wednesday, October 22.
Seven different local restaurants will be providing a variety of soups that can be purchased for $25. Every order of soup comes with bread and a hand-painted bowl as a reminder of those who may not know where their next meal is coming from. Specialty bowls crafted by local artisans are also available online for purchase during pre-orders or at the event October 21-22.
All funds raised from the event will be put back into the community and will directly benefit those who are facing food insecurity in Channel One’s 14-county service region. This support comes at a critical time when food shelves across Channel Ones region have been seeing a consistent increase in shoppers averaging around 33,000 household visits monthly.
The Empty Bowls 2025 pre-order form can be found at HelpingFeedPeople.org/Empty-Bowls-To-Go.
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About Channel One Regional Food Bank
Channel One Regional Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, strengthens food access and builds healthy communities. Channel One operates food programs to serve local and area needs such as: a food bank, a food shelf, mobile pantries, Kitchen Coalition, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Channel One Regional Food Bank mobilizes organizations, volunteers, and donors to serve the network of over 100 nonprofit programs that provide food for children, adults, and families in need. Channel One serves 14 counties across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, call 507.287.2350 or visit HelpingFeedPeople.org.
