Marion Arts Festival Empty Bowls fundraiser donates $9,077 to HACAP food program

The Marion Arts Festival Empty Bowls Committee presented a $9,077 donation to the HACAP Food Reservoir Program on July 1, 2026, according to a news release.

The money came from proceeds of the 2026 Empty Bowls fundraiser, held during the Marion Arts Festival in Uptown Marion on May 16, 2026. The event was sponsored by Veridian Credit Union.

HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program), founded in 1956, provides 45 programs to help individuals and families overcome poverty. The HACAP Food Reservoir serves as a food distribution hub, supplying a network of pantries, non-profits, schools, and churches across seven counties, including Linn County, according to HACAP's website.

"Support from the Marion Arts Festival's Empty Bowls fundraiser directly strengthens our ability to keep local pantries stocked with nutritious food," said Aron Brecht, HACAP Food Reservoir Director, in the release. "This donation helps us reach families who are facing real and immediate hardship, and we're deeply grateful for the community's commitment to fighting hunger alongside us."

A representative of the Marion Arts Festival Empty Bowls Committee said in the release: "Empty Bowls is a powerful reminder that many families in our community face empty bowls every day. We are proud that the funds raised stay right here in our community, supporting organizations like HACAP that work tirelessly to ensure families have access to nutritious food."

The Empty Bowls fundraiser has been part of the Marion Arts Festival since 1996, according to the festival's website. Since its inception, the fundraiser has donated more than $125,000 to area food banks.

Joshua Gerber, an art teacher at Kennedy High School and instructor at The Ceramics Center, coordinated the Empty Bowls sale, according to the release.

In 2025, proceeds from the Empty Bowls fundraiser supported the Churches of Marion Food Pantry, the Linn Community Food Bank, and Willis Dady Homeless Services, according to the festival's website. It was not immediately clear whether HACAP will be the sole beneficiary going forward or if this was a one-time allocation.

The Marion Arts Festival is an annual event held in Uptown Marion, drawing artists and attendees from across the Cedar Rapids area.