ELMIRA, NY – Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler invites you to the 21st Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon being held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at Notre Dame High School. As the largest fundraiser for the Samaritan Center, this event is designed to raise awareness of the effects of hunger and poverty in our community. Over the last twenty years, the Empty Bowls Luncheon has raised over $404,000 toward local poverty relief efforts.

This year’s event is generously sponsored in part by Gold Sponsors: The Hilliard Corporation and Kennedy Valve.

Empty Bowls stands out as a special event thanks to its collaboration with local potters, who create handmade, commemorative bowls for attendees contributing $50 or more. Catholic Charities also teams up with Barb and Mark McClure, owners of Barb’s Soups On Café in Elmira, to serve guests delicious homemade soup. It’s a wonderful blend of great food, beautiful craftsmanship, and meaningful community impact.

Tickets are $50 per person for lunch and a commemorative soup bowl created by a local art student or artisan. Get your tickets today as a limited number will be sold. For more information, contact Catholic Charities at 607-734-9784, or visit the event page at www.CatholicCharitiesCS.org.

The Empty Bowls Luncheon will include an impactful presentation, a door prize, and a raffle for a set of beautiful commemorative bowls donated by artisan Mary Purdy from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The Samaritan Center operates a food pantry five days a week. In addition to food, personal hygiene items, diapers and wipes are also available. The Samaritan Center relies on volunteers to serve guests at the food pantry every day. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit the Catholic Charities website to sign up.

About Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler: Catholic Charities provides support to individuals and families in our community to help them live a more self-reliant life. The agency specializes in emergency services and housing support. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester operates agencies serving twelve Western New York counties, from the Southern Tier to Rochester, including Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler. For more information on services, please visit CatholicCharitiesCS.org or ccdor.org.

Join Us for the 21st Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon!

Empty Bowls is more than a fundraising event—it’s a powerful reminder of the hunger experienced by many in our community and a chance for all of us to take part in meaningful change. Guests share a simple meal and take home a handcrafted bowl, symbolizing the empty bowls faced by individuals and families who struggle each day.
Proceeds from this event directly support the Samaritan Center’s work, providing food and essential services to those experiencing hunger and homelessness. Tickets can be purchased for lunch only, or lunch and a commemorative bowl. Whether you attend, sponsor, or make a donation, your participation helps ensure that fewer of our neighbors face empty cupboards and difficult choices.
We invite you to join us in this effort. Together, we can fill more bowls, support more families, and strengthen our community one meal at a time.

Buy Your Tickets Here!
Sponsorship Opportunities

Coming Soon: People of Hope — A Nationwide Storytelling Experience

Catholic Charities USA is launching People of Hope, an immersive, two and a half year traveling exhibit that celebrates powerful, faith filled stories of neighbors helping neighbors. Thanks to a major Lilly Endowment grant, this retrofitted tractor trailer will tour the country beginning in 2026 — and it’s headed to Chemung County (5/4) and Rochester (5/7).

Visitors will step inside to hear moving firsthand accounts from Catholic Charities staff and volunteers, witness moments of service that transformed lives, and even record their own stories of hope.

Stay tuned for dates, details, and how you can be part of this inspiring national journey.

ADVOCACY ALERT: The Bring It Home Campaign needs your help urging New York State to fully fund mental health housing in the 2026-2027 State Budget.

Why Your Letter Matters:
• The Governor’s proposal includes only a 1.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII)—but 2.7% is needed just to keep pace with inflation.
• Without the full 2.7%, mental health housing programs face cuts that affect rising operational costs like food, utilities, insurance, transportation, and staff wages.
• We must advocate NOW to ensure these programs receive adequate funding.
How to Help:
• Click the link below.
• Enter your street address, zip code, and full name. A pre-written letter will automatically be sent to the Governor and NYS Legislators

You can send the e letter more than once—and please share the link with others!
👉 Send E Letters Here!

MARCH EVENTS
March 2 – Guthrie MOM Unit, 160 High Street, Elmira, 9:00am – 4:00pm
March 16 – Last Day to Become a Sponsor for Empty Bowls
March 19 – Last Day to Purchase Empty Bowls Tickets
March 24 – 21st Annual Empty Bowls, Notre Dame High School, 11:30am – 1:00pm

APRIL EVENTS
April 3 – AGENCY CLOSED, Good Friday
April 5 – Easter Dinner, Elmira Community Kitchen (160 High St, Elmira), time TBD
April 9 – Pasta Night Fundraiser, Glenora Wine Cellars (5435 NY-14, Dundee, NY), 5:00pm – 7:00pm
April 14 – Tabling at the Horseheads Library, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
April 20-24 – National Volunteer Week
April 22 – Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, TBD, 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Bags of HOPE: Consider organizing a Bags of HOPE drive for much-needed items (men’s hygiene, diapers, ready-to-eat foods, and non-perishable items). You can view our wishlist and purchase online as well. These items will assist those at our Homeless Shelter and those visiting the Samaritan Center.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Love is Respect.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, observed each February, shines a light on the importance of promoting healthy, respectful relationships among teens and young adults. In 2026, this awareness month encourages communities, schools, families, and peers to recognize the warning signs of dating abuse—such as controlling behaviors, emotional manipulation, or physical harm—and to speak up when something doesn’t feel right. It also emphasizes empowering teens with the knowledge and confidence to set boundaries, communicate openly, and seek help without fear or shame. By fostering education, open conversations, and support systems, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month reminds us that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected in their relationships.

Please visit our website for resources or call/text our 24/7 Hotline at 607-742-9629.
For more information about Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, please visit loveisrespect.org.

Please Welcome our New Executive Director, Terry Cahill!

After serving as the Interim Executive Director through 2025, Terry Cahill was recently appointed the Executive Director of Catholic Charities Chemung/Schuyler. Since his arrival, Terry has been a tremendous asset to our organization, our team, and the communities we serve across Chemung and Schuyler counties. Additionally, he has become a valued member of the executive team for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester. Terry brings an unwavering commitment to Catholic Charities mission, along with the insight and leadership skills developed over a career in health, human services, and education.

Catholic Charities could not ask for a better partner to guide this agency forward—both in the important work we do every day and as we plan for a vibrant future. In reflecting on his new position, Terry remarked, “The work we do matters, and I’m thankful every day for the chance to do it together with such dedicated employees and volunteers. I am deeply grateful to serve an organization that embodies Margaret Mead’s words: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.’”

Please Welcome our New Schuyler Director, Lauren Lovett!

Lauren Lovett brings a deep passion for advocacy, leadership, and community partnership to her role as Schuyler County Director. Drawing from experience across several different lenses, including direct service, supervision, and program leadership, Lauren is committed to strengthening access to resources, empowering individuals, and building responsive systems of care. With years of experience supporting survivors and families through victim services and youth programming, she is grateful for the opportunity to lead the Schuyler County programs and looks forward to continuing meaningful work alongside community partners to create safer, stronger communities.

Reflecting on her new position, Lauren stated, “Every person deserves to feel safe, supported, and empowered. Leading the Schuyler County programs is an opportunity I cherish, and I’m excited for what we will continue to accomplish together.”

Empty Bowls Luncheon

We invite you to our 21st Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Notre Dame High School from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to raise funds for The Samaritan Center while raising awareness about hunger in our community.
This meaningful event includes a simple but hearty lunch of soup and bread—featuring soup from Barb’s Soup’s On Café in Elmira—along with presentations and the opportunity to make a real difference. Guests may choose to receive a commemorative hand-made soup bowl as a lasting reminder of the cause, with advance tickets required. Through shared food, conversation, and compassion, the Empty Bowls Luncheon highlights how coming together can help fill empty bowls and support neighbors in need.

Please RSVP by March 19, 2026.
Buy Your Tickets Here
Sponsorship Opportunities

March Events:

March 2 – Guthrie MOM Unit, 160 High Street, Elmira (Elmira Community Kitchen)
9:00am – 4:00pm
March 16 – Last Day to Become a Sponsor for Empty Bowls 
March 19 – Last Day to Purchase Empty Bowls Tickets
March 21 – 21st Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon, Notre Dame High School
11:30am – 1:00pm

April Events:

April 3 – AGENCY CLOSED, Good Friday
April 5 – Easter Dinner, Elmira Community Kitchen (160 High Street, Elmira)
Time TBD
April 9 – Pasta Night Fundraiser, Glenora Wine Cellars (5435 NY-14, Dundee, NY)
5:00pm – 7:00pm
April 14 – Tabling at the Horseheads Library
2:30pm – 4:30pm
April 20-24 – National Volunteer Week
April 22 – Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, TBD
1:00pm – 2:30pm

Bags of HOPE: Consider organizing a Bags of HOPE drive for much-needed warm items (coats, hats, gloves, and boots). You can view our wishlist and purchase online as well. These items will assist those at our Homeless Shelter and Warming Station during these cold months.

Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Stronger Connections. Stronger Futures.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time to rase awareness and take action to prevent human trafficking in our communities. This year’s theme, “Stronger Connections. Stronger Futures.” reminds us that our everyday connections play a vital role in preventing human trafficking. Strong, supportive relationships at home, at work, and in our communities help protect people from human trafficking and other forms of abuse. When individuals are supported, valued, and connected to the community, it is harder for traffickers to isolate, manipulate, or control them. Family members, friends, coworkers, and community members can notice when something doesn’t seem right and help connect people to support and resources.

Throughout January, be intentional about deepening connections with people in your daily life – check in, listen, and build trust. Together we can help create a future free from human trafficking.

How you can engage this month:
– Share information about Human Trafficking Prevention Month with your networks.
– Promote resources that support safety, stability, and well-being.
– Encourage conversations with children and youth about human trafficking, healthy relationships, safe boundaries, and finding the right balance between screen time and time with family and friends.

Stay informed throughout January by visiting the Office of Trafficking in Persons’ website for news, resources and events, or view our Safe Harbour page.

January is Poverty Awareness Month

Catholic teaching urges that we continually call on our elected officials to prioritize policies that protect the poor and most vulnerable. In 2025, the US Catholic Bishops addressed components of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act insisting that it will have ongoing and devastating consequences for the poorest people in our country. The federal bill cut funding for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) which will result in millions going hungry, while cuts to Medicaid could cause 10 million people to lose their health insurance over the next decade according to reports from the Congressional Budget Office.

One way we can stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in need is by advocating for just national policies. Challenge: Call our Congressman Nick Langworthy at (607) 377-3130 or contact him through his website and ask him to help lift vulnerable families out of poverty by strengthening food assistance and other federal safety net programs to ensure adequate funding for programs that promote the common good.

January Events:

January 28 – Fundraiser: Cheers for Charity – Lakeside Resort & 3812 Bistro
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Cheers for Charity: Join us at Lakeside Resort & 3812 Bistro in Watkins Glen, NY on January 28, 2026, for their monthly Food and Wine tasting series, held on the last Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm! This evening features a three-course tapas-style menu expertly paired with wines from a local winery, all while supporting Catholic Charities’ Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry! The cost is $45 per person, offering a wonderful opportunity to enjoy exceptional food and wine while giving back to the community!

February Events:

February 2 – Guthrie MOM Unit, 160 High Street, Elmira
9:00am – 4:00pm

Bags of HOPE: Consider organizing a Bags of HOPE drive for much-needed household items (cleaning supplies, pots/pans, vacuums). You can view our wishlist and purchase online as well.