Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley invites the community to celebrate the 19th anniversary of Empty Bowls, presented by H-E-B Hunger Relief, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg.
Empty Bowls brings neighbors together around great food and a shared purpose. Emceed by KRGV’s Tim Smith and KTEX’s JoJo Cerda, this year’s tasting luncheon features bites from more than 30 local favorites, a lively silent auction, and raffles including two luxury items. Each guest will take home a hand-painted ceramic bowl—a lasting reminder of the ongoing challenge of hunger in our community. Every dollar raised helps provide up to five meals for neighbors at risk of hunger, making each contribution meaningful in the fight against food insecurity.
“Empty Bowls is more than a luncheon—it’s community in action,” said Libby A. Saenz, CEO of Food Bank RGV. “Every bowl shared and every contribution helps nourish families across the Rio Grande Valley.”
The Food Bank RGV is grateful to all sponsors who make Empty Bowls possible. We also recognize our top sponsors: Title and Presenting Sponsor H-E-B Hunger Relief, whose support will provide 125,000 meals for the community; Watermelon Sponsors, each providing 50,000 meals for the community, including Junior’s Supermarket, Vantage Bank / The Loring Cook Foundation, and AEP Energy; and Grapefruit Sponsors, each providing 25,000 meals, including Fiesta Chevrolet Edinburg, Pharr Economic Development Corporation, HUB International, Rotary Club of Edinburg, 2JM Produce, Ōnin Staffing, Elevents, and Walmart.
Guests will enjoy unlimited tasting bites from participating restaurants, access to the silent auction and raffles, and a hand-painted ceramic bowl to take home. For general questions, sponsorship inquiries, or restaurant participation details, contact Philip Farias at 956-904-4513 or pfarias@foodbankrgv.com, or visit foodbankrgv.com.
Tickets are $36 plus fees and available at the Bert Ogden Arena box office and online at BertOgdenArena.com.
Photo: Food Bank RGV’s Empty Bowls Luncheon and Silent Auction presented by H-E-B Hunger Relief promises to be a truly delicious experience with a wide variety of cuisine available.
