A Night of Trivia, Giving Back & Community: 2026 Empty Bowls Fundraiser Recap

Another successful year of bringing our community together for a great cause!

On Friday, October 23, 2026, friends, families, and neighbors gathered at the Bottling Works Event Center in Romney for our annual Empty Bowls Trivia Night Fundraiser, benefiting our local food pantry and Christmas in Romney.

The evening was filled with friendly competition, delicious soup, laughter, exciting raffles, auction items, and most importantly, a community coming together to make a difference.

As we prepare for the 2026 holiday season, events like this remind us just how special our little town truly is!

A Fun-Filled Evening for a Great Cause

Guests enjoyed a variety of soups and light refreshments while putting their knowledge to the test during several rounds of trivia.

We were honored to welcome Superintendent W. Clayton Burch of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind as this year's emcee! His enthusiasm and involvement helped make the evening even more memorable, and we sincerely appreciate him taking the time to support this community tradition.

From teams working together to answer trivia questions to guests participating in raffles and auctions, there was no shortage of excitement throughout the evening.

Incredible Auction Items Made Possible by Generous Donors

One of the highlights of this year's fundraiser was the incredible selection of donated auction items!

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, guests had the opportunity to bid on some truly special experiences and gifts, including:

• Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad – Train ticket with dinner

• Massanutten WaterPark – Four waterpark tickets valued at $300

• Stonewall Resort – One overnight stay

• The Hott Spot Golf & Games – $50 gift certificate and a sleeve of branded golf balls

• Anderson's Corner – A beautiful pair of diamond earrings

• Christmas in Romney – A four-night Western Caribbean cruise and a $150 Visa gift card toward airfare

These generous contributions helped make this year's fundraiser an exciting evening while supporting two important local causes.

Beautiful Bowls with a Meaningful Purpose

Of course, Empty Bowls wouldn't be complete without the bowls themselves!

A special thank-you goes to the talented individuals who generously donated bowls for this year's event: Barbara Adams, Bill Calvert, Julie Cook, Jonathan Hamilton, and Patrick O'Dell.

Their contributions helped continue the meaningful Empty Bowls tradition, reminding us that something as simple as a bowl can represent the importance of helping ensure our neighbors have food on their tables.

Thank You to Our Sponsors, Donors & Community Supporters!

An event like this would not be possible without the incredible generosity of local businesses, organizations, volunteers, and individuals who step up year after year.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of our auction contributors listed above, along with these additional supporters:

• Bakery Barn

• Food Lion

• Hampshire County Co-op

• Main Street Grill

• Red Bird Cafe

• Romney Diner

• Romney Moose Lodge #1371

• Spring Valley Market

To every business, individual, sponsor, and volunteer who contributed their time, resources, food, prizes, or financial support—THANK YOU!

We also want to thank everyone who purchased tickets, reserved VIP tables, participated in the auctions and raffles, or simply came out to enjoy the evening. Your participation is what makes this annual tradition possible.

A special thank-you to Jenna Gelow Designs for capturing the evening through photography, helping us preserve and share these wonderful moments with our community!

Looking Ahead to Christmas in Romney 2026

With another successful Empty Bowls Trivia Night behind us, we're turning our attention toward the exciting holiday season ahead!

Christmas in Romney is built on community spirit, local partnerships, and the generosity of people who believe in keeping our small-town traditions alive.

Events like Empty Bowls not only help support our local food pantry but also contribute to the continued efforts of Christmas in Romney as we prepare to bring holiday cheer to our town.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for another wonderful year!

We're grateful for the continued support of our community and can't wait to celebrate the 2026 Christmas season with all of you.

🎄 Stay connected for upcoming holiday events, announcements, and ways to get involved at www.christmasinromney.com

Together, we're keeping the spirit of Christmas—and the spirit of giving—alive in Romney, West Virginia.