About Us

Empty Bowls Puerto Peñasco is an all-volunteer organization spearheaded by Puerto Peñasco’s only ceramic artist, Renée Shearer. We are truly neighbors helping neighbors with hunger issues.

Our Mission Statement:

Empty Bowls Puerto Peñasco raises money to provide resources and aid to neighbors threatened by food insecurity.

Our Story

“Empty Bowls” is an internationally recognized grassroots movement by ceramic artists around the world to raise money for food organizations. This money is used to address hunger-related issues in their own communities.

After the successful Inaugural fundraising event In February 2024, Renee Shearer, Ruben Cordova, and Pastor Tony Juarez took the cash proceeds to Bodega Aurrera and Sam’s Club and purchased a broad range of staple package goods to make 150 bags of food for distribution. Over the next five days, Renee and Pastor Tony distributed to vetted families in the parking lot of Burger King. Some families recommended other families too. Renee took the remaining funds to purchase fresh vegetables, fruits, cheeses and distributed them to 12 known vegan families. A list of all the families and their phone numbers were placed in a database for future use.

More fundraising was carried out with a Fish Fry in conjunction with the American Legion where funds raised were given to DIF for fresh fruit to be added to their senior hot lunches Monday-Friday.

We have also recently held a successful Tequila and Tacos event at The Pink Cadillac Restaurant, where we had another small event scheduled on August 14th for a Pancake Pool Party. These two events are generating funds that will be used for non-donated expenses such as printing expenses, and clay to make bowls for our big gala event on November 30th, 2024, where we expect to have over 500 attendees. We also have a Spaghetti Dinner coming up on September 22nd in partnership with the American Legion where our November Gala will be held. The money raised there will go toward necessities for the Gala.

For our November Gala local and Arizona artists are contributing unique bowls, local restaurants are providing soup and bread, and local musicians the pleasure of their talents. We hope to raise over $10,000 USD with this event where 100% will go to food purchases. This is truly neighbors helping neighbors.

Advance ticket purchases will be available starting August 1st at The Turquoise Door in San Miguel Plaza or see our website. We currently have donation boxes set up at Cindy’s Unique Ideas and Gifts on Rodeo Drive, The Pink Cadillac Restaurant, Bottoms Up Yacht Club and The American Legion all in the Mirador area as well as Chuy’s Restaurant in Las Conchas.

If you would like to volunteer or donate, please visit our website https://emptybowls-puertopenasco.com to find more information about our latest activities. Or you can email us at emptybowlspuertopenasco@gmail.com.