Puerto Peñasco is a town that takes care of its own. But seasonal layoffs, border slowdowns, and the unpredictable weight of hard times leave families stretched thin, and tables emptier than they should be.

Empty Bowls Puerto Peñasco is a 100% volunteer, grassroots community fundraising initiative created to help address food insecurity in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), Sonora, Mexico. It began in early 2024, when a small group of neighbors sat down together and asked a simple question: What can we do? On February 24, 2024, we held our first event, hosted by Renée Shearer, the only potter artist in town, at The Turquoise Door, and the response proved that this town shows up for its neighbors. That one small idea has since grown into a community of approximately 85 volunteers, our "Good Deed Doers," who donate their time, talents, and generosity to make a difference.

Our biggest event of the year, the annual Empty Bowls Soup Fundraiser, takes place in November. Top local chefs come together for a Soup Showdown, with all proceeds benefitting local food banks and families in need. Throughout the year, cook-offs and other fundraisers bring together residents, businesses, artists, chefs, and visitors for the same purpose. We like to put the FUN in fundraising, and our supporters keep showing up with big hearts and hungry bellies.

Since February 2024, we have raised over $60,000 and distributed approximately 3,200 bags of food to neighbors in need. Our funds have supported Banco de Alimentos and Palabras de Esperanza, both local food banks, and DIF, the local government agency for family assistance.

Our mission is simple: to raise funds and provide resources and assistance to those facing food insecurity in our community.

Every bowl, every volunteer, and every gift helps put food on the table for our neighbors in Puerto Peñasco.