Fernandina Beach, FL This year’s 10th annual Barnabas Center Empty Bowls luncheon will be held on Monday, November 27, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The event will raise funds to help individuals and families in our area who are experiencing hunger. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased online.
The Empty Bowls fundraiser is a symbolic reminder of the many “bowls” in our community that remain unfilled for people struggling with hunger or food insecurity. Each guest will receive a bowl hand-painted by a local volunteer or artist to commemorate their attendance and to serve as a reminder of hunger in our community. In preparation for the event, community members have already come together and painted hundreds of bowls while attending paint parties at the Amelia Makery, a generous major event sponsor. Nearly 1,000 bowls will be painted this year in preparation for this event and the online bowl auction.
You can help by sharing your creative talents and hosting a Barnabas Center Paint Party at the Amelia Makery! You can bring a group of up to 30 people to paint bowls for the Empty Bowls event. The gatherings are held on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., but you must register in advance. Please contact Barbara Decker, Development Assistant 904.261.7000 x 106 or BDecker@barnabasnassau.org
today to let us know if you are interested in having your friends/co-workers share their creative talents by painting a bowl. It’s a great way to do good and have fun at the same time!
Beginning October 16th, you can shop ONLINE for locally handcrafted gifts including spectacularly creative bowls that support this good cause and bring extra joy to both the giver and recipient. Artisan bowls can be found at https://www.biddingowl.com/BarnabasCenter, featuring many unique hand-painted bowls by Nassau County artists and residents who donated their time and extraordinary talent.
Pam Fox, 2023 Empty Bowls Event Chair, said, “I am proud to Chair the 10th year of Empty Bowls. Our track record of meeting the increasing needs in our local community through the generous support of businesses and individuals continues to dazzle me! The volunteers, our special sponsors such as our event host The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, and the many who paint our bowls are all so special. I hope this year’s event will be a record-breaker in its impact on Nassau County. We are so fortunate to be part of this community that cares so deeply about others!”
The very generous Henry Berghoef Memorial Challenge Fund of $50,000 has been announced. Challenge fund contributions can be made online, mailed, or during the event and support the provision of help and hope at Barnabas Center.
Barnabas Center thanks Legacy sponsor Baptist Medical Center Nassau and our extraordinarily generous Titanium level sponsors thus far: two anonymous families, Liza & Terry Cotter, Pamela Fox & Jim Raycraft, Melonie & Jeff Murphy, Andrea & Corky Hoffman, Sandy Logan Mullman & John Mullman and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.
Presenting level sponsors thus far include two anonymous families, Debbie & John Baechle, Betty Berkman, the Braddock and Waas Families, Judy & David Easterly, Anne & Bill Gower and The James and Dorothy Baer Foundation.
Platinum sponsors thus far are Amelia Makery, Claudia & Randy Boldyga, Lyn Deroy, Donna Lynne Custom Homes, Inc., Jacqueline Dorrance-Tomlinson, DTW Research, Inc., Dana & John Gaydac, Suzie & Jim Hocker, Betsy & Rod Odom, Omni Resorts Amelia Island, Janet & Ron Pfeffer, Pickett Construction, Kim & Mike Mills, and WestRock.
We are very grateful for the contributing donors and sponsors at all levels. The event is also supported by a grant from the Endowed $10,000 Event Grant Fund established in 2015 by Delores Barr Weaver.
Event proceeds help Barnabas Center achieve its ongoing mission: to improve the stability, health and well-being of individuals and families in need and ultimately deliver hope. For more information or to sponsor or purchase a ticket, visit www.barnabasnassau.org/events/empty-bowls.
