ELMIRA, NY – Catholic Charities is thrilled to announce the success of the 21st Empty Bowls Luncheon, that was held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Notre Dame High School. This year’s event, the largest fundraiser for The Samaritan Center, raised over $30,000 to support local poverty relief efforts. Over the past twenty years, the Empty Bowls Luncheon has raised over $404,000, making a significant impact on our community.
Generous sponsorship from The Hilliard Corporation, Kennedy Valve, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Community Bank, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, Gough Holding, Stewart Advisory Services, Southern Tier Custom Fabricators, Visions Federal Credit Union, Wegmans, and other local sponsors helped make this year’s event possible. The Empty Bowls Luncheon is unique, featuring handmade, commemorative bowls created by local potters. Guests also enjoyed delicious homemade soup provided by Barb & Mark McClure, owners of Barb’s Soup’s On Cafe in Elmira.
The Empty Bowls Luncheon featured delicious soup, a brief presentation, raffles and an award presentation. The Longwell-McClure Award is named after Chris Longwell, Associate Professor of Art at Elmira College and Barb and Mark McClure, Owners of Barb’s Soup’s On. As the first recipients of the award, Catholic Charities honored Chris as an individual who had supported Catholic Charities as well as the McClure’s as a business who had supported in unique and impactful ways over the years.
Professor Longwell has been making bowls for this luncheon for the last 21 years and was instrumental in starting this fundraising event at Elmira College where it was held until 2022 when the event moved to Notre Dame. The McClures have been providing soup for this luncheon since the beginning, even providing to-go soup during the virtual Empty Bowls that was held due to COVID.
As a tribute to Professor Longwell and the McClures, Cindy Fuller and Corning Federal Credit Union were recognized for their dedication to our community.
Beautiful bowls were created and donated by the following:
• Colleen McCall Ceramics
• David Webster’s Pottery
• Elmira College Students and Chris Longwell
• Horseheads High School Students and Cynthia Cratsley
• Kettle Creek Pottery, Amy Manson
• Mary Purdy
Notre Dame students helped prepare for the event and assisted with serving throughout the luncheon. It was a wonderful combination of delicious food, beautiful bowls, a meaningful cause, and—most importantly—the generous partners who support our mission.
The Samaritan Center operates a food pantry five days a week, providing food, personal hygiene items, diapers, and wipes. Volunteers serve guests daily. If you’re interested in volunteering, please visit the Catholic Charities website to sign up. If you would like to make a donation to help Catholic Charities exceed their fundraising goal, you may visit their website.
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.