Fernandina Beach, FL. The 11th annual Barnabas Center’s Empty Bowls luncheon will be held Monday, December 2, from noon to 1 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The luncheon will raise funds to help individuals and families in Nassau County who are experiencing hunger.
The Empty Bowls event is a symbolic reminder of the many “bowls” in our community that are not full for people struggling with hunger or food insecurity. Each guest will receive a bowl hand-painted by an army of local volunteers in the community. More than 900 bowls have been painted this year in Barnabas Center’s on-site studio and fired by students at the University of North Florida.
This year’s luncheon is sold out but you can support Empty Bowls by visiting the Online Marketplace with handcrafted gifts and bowls from our community of talented artists and residents who donated their time and extraordinary talent. Artists include Michael Fay, Stephen Heywood, Trevor Dunn, Lis Krawiecki, Barbara Koontz, Billie McCray, Julia Newhouse, Robin Bruck-Tanner as well as bowls painted by very talented volunteers. New this year are bowls from several local celebrities – Sheriff Bill Leeper, Lewis Turner, First Coast News Co-Anchor, Randy Knagge, mayor of the Town of Callahan, Kathy Burns, superintendent of Nassau County School District, and Justin Taylor, vice chairman of the Ocean Highway and Port Authority, Port of Fernandina.
Your Online Marketplace purchase not only supports this good cause but brings extra joy to both the recipient and the giver. The Online Marketplace will be open until Friday, December 5.
Empty Bowls Event Chairpersons Jane and Jim DuCharme said, “We are deeply honored to serve as the Event Chairs for Barnabas Center’s Empty Bowls event. All of this has been made possible by our generous event host, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, our transportation sponsor, Omni Resorts Amelia Island and dozens of other sponsors. Their collaboration and support are what make this event truly special. Together, we can bring the community together for a cause that is close to our hearts.”
Barnabas Center thanks Legacy sponsor Baptist Medical Center Nassau and our very generous Titanium level sponsors: Anonymous (2), Betty Berkman, Sheila & William Braddock, Liza & Terry Cotter, Andrea & Corky Hoffman, Sandy Logan Mullman & John Mullman, Melonie & Jeff Murphy and The Faith, Hope & Love Foundation.
Presenting sponsors to date include Anonymous, Debbie & John Baechle, Judy & John Easterly, Pam Fox & Jim Raycraft, Anne & Bill Gower, Mary Anne Sharer, and The James and Dorothy Baer Foundation.
Barnabas Center is very grateful to all of the 2024 sponsors. A complete list of sponsors can be found here.
For individuals attending the luncheon, parking will be extremely limited, and carpooling is strongly encouraged. Parking will be available beginning at 10:45 a.m. at Peter’s Point Beach Front Park, with complimentary shuttle service provided by Omni Resorts Amelia Island.
About Barnabas Center:
Barnabas Center is committed to providing assistance to individuals and families throughout Nassau County, FL. The organization focuses on enhancing community stability, health, and well-being through its various programs, including food distribution, health services, and housing support.
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