The 26th Annual Empty Bowls luncheon to benefit The Food Bank of Manatee, A PLUS program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, November 13, 2026, on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. Advanced tickets are $35 each for general admission ($40 day of event) and include a unique ceramic bowl to keep, a selection of soups, fresh bread, and dessert. Advanced VIP tickets are $50 ($60 day of event) and allow for early admission and access to a special selection of bowls.
On Sunday, November 15, 2026, at TerraNova Equestrian Center, 31625 Clay Gully Road, Myakka City, Florida, a second Empty Bowls Event will be held. Tickets are $50 each. The event will run from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.
“The high costs of living are really stretching family budgets, causing a higher demand on The Food Bank of Manatee,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of The Food Bank of Manatee/Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. “These events are an opportunity to come together to enjoy a beautiful lunch while at the same time support our mission to feed babies, children, families, and seniors in need in Manatee County,” she added.
Empty Bowls events are annual fundraisers benefiting The Food Bank of Manatee and 100% of the proceeds go directly back to hunger and nutrition programs in Manatee County. The Food Bank of Manatee is the largest hunger-relief organization and only food bank based in Manatee County. The Food Bank of Manatee provides food to 100+ local social service agencies, food pantries, and soup kitchens, while also providing direct distributions for the community during emergencies and during the holidays. The Food Bank of Manatee has been providing help and hope to Manatee County residents since it opened in 1985.
Tickets are available online at https://mealsonwheelsplus.org/event/. Tickets are limited! Purchase your tickets today!
About The Food Bank of Manatee/Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee
While initially founded in 1972, with the purpose of providing nutritious meals to the elderly and disabled residents of Manatee County, Meals on Wheels of Manatee, Inc. became so much more. The organization grew over the years in response to community needs, and the “PLUS” was eventually added to the name as a way of representing the many other services offered. The mission of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee is to assist individuals to live independently by providing nutrition and caring, supportive services. Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee offers comprehensive care and essential programs that assist people to live independently. While services include delivering nutritious meals to the elderly and disabled, other essential programs include: The Food Bank of Manatee, Daybreak Adult Day Center, and Friendship Dining. More information is available at http://www.MealsOnWheelsPLUS.org.