25th anniversary fundraiser to set goals for future

By Jeff Smith

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Empty Bowls fundraiser on Thursday, February 27, from 6-9 p.m. at the Perot Family Campus in Plano. Presented by Kroger, the event will feature bowl-friendly dishes from top local chefs, drinks and the opportunity to select a handcrafted bowl made by local artisans. The event serves as a poignant reminder that not everyone’s bowl is full and, together, we can work to fill the bowls of those in need.

“We invite you to join us as we commemorate 25 years of Empty Bowls, an event that has raised critical funds to advance our mission of closing the hunger gap in North Texas, thanks to our presenting sponsor, Kroger,” said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank. “Through this event, we’ve provided over 8 million meals to children, families, and older adults facing hunger. Kroger’s ongoing support—through food donations, funding, and partnership—has been a key driver of our success and a true example of community collaboration.”

Serving as the celebrity chef for this milestone event is Brian Luscher, director of Culinary Operations for 33 Restaurant Group, a vibrant family of restaurants that include Suburban Yacht Club, Cadillac Pizza Pub, The Yard in McKinney, Taverna Rossa Craft Pizza and Beer in Plano and Southlake, Union Bear Brewing Co. in Plano, Denton and soon to be McKinney,  Heritage Pizza and Taproom in The Colony, and Seager & Sons in Plano. Luscher is also renowned for his work at The Grape, a beloved Dallas bistro that closed in 2019 after nearly five decades. His commitment to innovative, high-quality cuisine makes him a standout at this year’s Empty Bowls event.

All proceeds from Empty Bowls will support the North Texas Food Bank’s programs, helping address the region’s growing hunger crisis. Texas leads the nation in the number of people facing hunger, with nearly 664,000 individuals in the 12 counties served by NTFB unsure where their next meal will come from — 40 percent of whom are children. The hunger crisis in North Texas is equivalent to the populations of cities like Boston or Las Vegas.

“Kroger is honored to once again serve as the presenting sponsor of Empty Bowls,” said John Votava, director of Corporate Affairs for Kroger’s Dallas Division. “As part of our Zero Hunger Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan, Kroger provides millions of meals and essential resources each year to the North Texas Food Bank, ensuring our neighbors have access to fresh, nutritious food.”

Tickets to the Empty Bowls event for 21-and-older people can be purchased for $100. Each ticket sold helps NTFB provide 300 meals for neighbors facing hunger. To purchase tickets, go to ntfb.org/emptybowls.