Kroger Presents Empty Bowls Feb. 26 in Plano to Fight Hunger

The North Texas Food Bank will host its 26th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at the Perot Family Campus in Plano on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, presenting an opportunity for Collin County residents to convert a night out into immediate hunger relief. Presented by Kroger, the ticketed, 21-and-older event runs from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and combines chef tastings, live jazz, a wine pull, a silent auction and handcrafted bowls guests take home as reminders of local food insecurity.

Tickets are priced at $100, and the food bank estimates each ticket translates to approximately 300 meals for neighbors in need. Proceeds will directly support North Texas Food Bank hunger-relief programs across its 12-county service area. Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, said, “We’re excited to mark the 26th year of Empty Bowls and the lasting impact this event has had in supporting our mission to close the hunger gap in North Texas. Together with our presenting sponsor, Kroger, Empty Bowls has helped provide nearly 9 million meals for children, families, and seniors. Kroger’s continued partnership, from food donations to financial support, plays an essential role in helping our neighbors get the food they need.”

The fundraiser comes against a backdrop of persistent need. North Texas Food Bank materials note nearly 744,000 individuals across the organization’s service area are unsure where their next meal will come from, and roughly one-third of those affected are children. Texas continues to rank first nationally in the number of people facing hunger, underscoring the regional stakes behind local fundraising efforts.

Program highlights list tastings from leading local chefs, including Julia Phinyawatana, founder and chef of the Asian Mint restaurant group, along with live music by the Texas Jazz Cats. Attendees can bid in a silent auction, try a wine pull and select a handcrafted bowl created by local artisans to take home as a tangible reminder of community need.

Kroger’s role extends beyond event sponsorship. John Votava, director of corporate affairs for Kroger’s Dallas Division, noted that Kroger’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste commitment drives year-round collaboration with the North Texas Food Bank to ensure families have access to fresh, nutritious food when they need it most.

For Collin County residents, Empty Bowls offers a direct way to convert discretionary spending into measurable food assistance while supporting local culinary and arts contributors. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available through the North Texas Food Bank’s event page; prospective attendees and media should contact the food bank for current availability, sponsorship details and press access.