Empty Bowls is also a Homecoming for this year’s Guest Chef, Omar Saad, owner of Lazy Fare.

Friend to Friend Food Pantry and Expressions Pottery Workshop are excited to announce the 26th Anniversary Empty Bowls Celebration on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 11:30am–1:30pm, at the East Granby Senior/Community Center. The purpose of the event is to raise funds and awareness of food insecurity at a community level.

All proceeds benefit the Friend to Friend Food Pantry which provides food to pre-qualified East Granby residents and families in need. Tickets are $25.00 pre-purchase or $30.00 at the door. (We’ll offer a $10.00 Soup Only ticket for children 12 and under and seniors, 65+, available for purchase only at the event.)

This year’s celebration welcomes home an East Granby High School alumni, Chef Omar Saad, who opened up his new restaurant, Lazy Fare, this past July in the East Street Shops plaza located at 10 East Street. Omar and his wife, Anndrea, spent late spring and early summer working to open the restaurant this July. They also celebrated their daughter’s first birthday, another special milestone during their busiest year yet. Lucky for us, Omar and Anndrea are champions of community and graciously jumped on board to headline Empty Bowls.

Omar has been cooking since childhood, growing up in his parents and family’s restaurants in New York City. He’s bringing that lifelong passion to Lazy Fare, featuring family-recipe, middle eastern favorites like Falafel and Shawarma in addition to NYC staples like a Pastrami Reuben and his own creations of blended flavors like Blueberry Focaccia. You can view his menu here and visit Lazy Fare, Monday through Saturday, 7am–4pm.

Make sure to join us on October 10th for the 26th Annual Empty Bowls. The event is enjoyed by neighbors near and far who look forward to a day full of fun, Fall traditions and activities.

• Arrive early for a pre-event guided tour of Doreen’s Nature Trail at 10:30, meeting in the Community Center parking lot.
• Festivities begin indoors at 11:30 at the EG Community/Senior Center. Choose a hand-potted bowl to take home.
• Enjoy delicious Lentil and Chicken Tortilla soups prepared by our Guest Chef Omar along with artisan breads donated and served up by PeoplesBank.
• Purchase Thanksgiving-themed raffle tickets for a chance to win a fresh holiday turkey and other Fall-themed prizes.
• Enjoy live music performed by Allendale Rose.
• Take a stroll (or drive) to Expressions Pottery Workshop and peruse the handmade pottery for early holiday shopping and enter the FREE raffle to win a $50 Expressions Gift Card.
• Before you leave, indulge in a sweet treat such as graciously donated OneSong Biscotti, and a variety of other desserts. Pick out your complimentary pumpkin courtesy of Peter L. Brown Company.
• Finally, stop by The Friend to Friend Thrift Shop for your treasure-hunting pleasure from 9:00am to 3:00 pm at 32 Spoonville Road in East Granby (purchases also fund the Food Pantry).
• To pre-purchase tickets (and save $5!) go here.