EDINBURG — The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley hosted its 19th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser here Tuesday morning at the Bert Ogden Arena, where the community came together to tackle food insecurity in the region.
Every guest who attended the event took home a hand-painted ceramic bowl, which the food bank says is a lasting reminder of the ongoing challenge of hunger in the community.
With more than 30 local restaurants participating as well as a silent auction and raffles, every dollar raised during Empty Bowls helps provide up to five meals for people at risk of hunger therefore making each contribution meaningful in the fight against food insecurity.
“We have so many food insecure people that don’t know where the next meal is coming from,” Libby Saenz, CEO of the Food Bank RGV, said. “This is our largest fundraiser that we have. This helps us put food on tables of those people that need it.”
Complimentary ceramic bowls line the table as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)Vecente Hernandez prepares a dish of food as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)Maria Leonard enjoys her beverage as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)Servers serve food samples as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)A mascot greets attendees as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)A big chocolate chip cookie sits on a table as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)Sushi rolls are displayed for eating as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)Items rest on a table during a silent auction as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)KRGV’s Tim Smith emcees during the Food Bank RGV annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)Erica Lechuga holds up a watch to be raffled as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)A crepe is worked on as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)Food is on display ready to eat as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)A cake is on display as the Food Bank RGV hosts the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Bert Ogden Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)
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