On Thursday, May 1, 2025, Maine College of Art & Design hosted its inaugural Empty Bowls event. NEWS CENTER MAINE covered the event, and President Laura Freid shared, "Sometimes you need an artist's joy, creativity, and humor to take a problem that may seem insurmountable and make it addressable." The event raised over $6,000 for Wayside Food Programs.
Since its launch in 1990, ceramic artists worldwide have organized Empty Bowls events, raising tens of millions of dollars for local food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters.
MECA&D's event included a meal at the MECA&D Café, complete with a signature dish compliments of guest chef Hannah Ryder of Portland’s Twelve restaurant, and a bowl handmade at MECA&D.