Barnabas Center recently held its 6^th annual Empty Bowls luncheon, on November 8^th and thanks to the generous event sponsors and donors, nearly 500 guests, the Empty Bowls committee, volunteers, and bowl painters, the event was a tremendous success. An empty bowl is a symbol of hunger. In support of our neighbors coping with hunger and food insecurity, each year Barnabas hosts this simple meal of soup, bread, and dessert donated by the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort in an effort to raise much-needed funds to support Barnabas programs that help people in need in Nassau County.

Corporate and individual sponsors were critical to the financial success of this event. Thanks to the volunteer sponsorship chair, Pam Fox, Empty Bowls sponsors more than doubled in number, making this year’s fundraising event the most successful ever. Barnabas is especially appreciative of the support of presenting sponsors, Baptist Medical Center Nassau and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island; and by a grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund, est. 2015. Platinum sponsors included the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, WestRock, Jack and Charlotte Roberts, David and Judy Easterly, Amelia Makery, Pickett Construction and two anonymous sponsors. Gold Sponsors included Martex Landscape Management, Lisa Presnell Productions, Donna Lynne Custom Homes, Castleton Homes, JMV Industries, John and Debbie Baechle and William and Sheila Braddock. Silver, bronze, copper and bowl sponsors also made generous contributions.

First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach was the site for the event with a program that included keynote speaker Tammy Johnson, Barnabas Board member and Principal of Hilliard Middle and Senior High School; as well as a performance by Hupp and Ray. An important event challenge grant was announced and gave the Empty Bowls event attendees the chance to match a $20,000 anonymous gift. The challenge exceeded the anonymous match sponsorship, reaching $48,774! To top it off, Barnabas received a generous surprise gift from Publix Super Markets. Dwaine Stevens, Publix Community Affairs Manager, presented $10,000 at the luncheon to Barnabas President & CEO, Wanda Lanier.

Barnabas is deeply grateful for the volunteers from the Rotary Club of Amelia Island Sunrise, Lisa Presnell Productions, who played an integral part in setting up and supervising the event; community members for hand-painting nearly 700 bowls; University of North Florida and Jacksonville University for donating hand-crafted pottery bowls; and other numerous individuals who donated their time and talent during the event. Special thanks to the very entertaining event emcee Lewis Turner, news anchor with First Coast News, and the dedicated volunteer event committee members who tirelessly worked to ensure the success of the luncheon including: event chair Donna Sweet and Kathi Donegan, Pam Fox, Robin Jones, Lisa Presnell, Mary Anne Sharer and Annie Sparkle.

Finally, Barnabas Center thanks all who attended Empty Bowls. Thanks to the generous community support, Barnabas can continue to provide help and hope to individuals and families in need throughout Nassau County.