Empty Bowls returns later this month, offering delicious soups in beautiful handmade bowls to raise funds for The Pantry.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Oxford Conference Center, with all proceeds benefiting The Pantry, the area’s emergency food bank. A shuttle will be available from Christ Presbyterian.

The Pantry serves approximately 700 families each month and operates 50 weeks a year, distributing food on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. This year’s event is especially important as rising food costs continue to strain food pantries.

Tickets for Empty Bowls are $25 and can be purchased at the door. Each ticket includes a handmade bowl filled with your choice of dozens of homemade soups provided by local restaurants, caterers, country clubs and hotels. 

Bread, a drink, and dessert are also included.

This year’s dessert is provided by Nothing Bundt Cakes, and beverages are courtesy of Milo’s Teas. Participants can select a bowl of their choice, including 60 handcrafted bowls from Oxford High School art students.

For those ordering 10 or more bowls, a drive-thru option is available. Guests with fewer than six orders can place to-go orders in person. Additionally, for six or more orders, a drive-thru pre-pay option is available by texting 662-832-4539.

Last year’s event served approximately 800 people and raised more than $30,000 for The Pantry.

“We will have about 1,300 bowls this year, so we’re hoping to sell all of them,” said Monte Ochs, co-chair of the event. “Oxford is a very generous community, so we think we can make that goal.”

For those unable to attend but who still wish to contribute, donations can be made via Venmo (@PantryOxfordMS) or PayPal (PayPal.me/oxfordpantry).