It's a lovely event, a fundraiser for services for homeless people.
Potters make and donate soup bowls, restaurants donate soup and bread. You go for lunch, choose a bowl to use and keep, donate money, have lunch, maybe hear some music. This year in San Diego, Empty Bowls is on May 11, 11-1 at the La Jolla United Methodist Church. Have a look at pictures from other years at facebook.com/EmptyBowlsSanDiego.
I just looked,and enjoy recognizing bowls I've made. I've been donating since perhaps my second year of making pots. I like it.