After 27 years, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is ending its popular Empty Bowls fundraisers because of federal funding cuts, nonprofit leaders said.

Greg Mora, director of development, said they are facing a $1.5 million gap related to the end of funding they usually received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We really had to make the hard decision of where to put our efforts to ensure that we can have access to the food that people need,” Mora said. 

The annual fundraisers had local artists create and sell handmade ceramic bowls, and volunteers serve up a soup lunch. Events were typically held each year in Santa Maria, Lompoc and Santa Barbara.

The Foodbank announced on social media this week that the nonprofit organization was bringing the tradition to a close.

Mora said that without the federal funding they won’t be able to hold in-person fundraisers such as Empty Bowls or the Orange Ball, which was held for the first time last year. Instead, the organization will focus on food sourcing for the community. 

“It was really hard to make that decision, to have to sunset an event like that, that’s brought community together and awareness as well,” Mora said. “But really, going back to the basics for the Foodbank is to ensure that we can provide nourishing food to our neighbors who need it.”

The funding that the Foodbank received from the USDA went to purchasing food from local farmers. Mora said the silver lining is that they can go directly to the farmers they have established relationships with, without having to go through a government program. The challenge is having the funds to purchase directly from the farmers, he said. 

Mora said they have plans for new fundraisers that they’ll be announcing soon. In the meantime, the community can support the Foodbank through donations, volunteering or fundraising on its behalf.  

Mora thanked Empty Bowls founder Danyel Dean, who started the fundraiser in Santa Barbara and saw it grow to become a countywide event.