Fernandina Beach, FL — The 12th annual Barnabas Center Empty Bowls Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. This heartfelt community event raises funds to support Barnabas Center’s programs that serve local individuals and families facing hunger and hardship.
AN EMPTY BOWL IS A SYMBOL OF HUNGER. Nassau County neighbors gather to help neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Barnabas Center invites the community to come together for a simple but meaningful meal of soup, bread, and dessert served by volunteers. Each guest will take home a beautiful, hand-painted ceramic bowl—a tangible reminder of the many empty bowls that still need to be filled.
Barnabas Center is deeply grateful to Mr. Greg Cook, General Manager, and the dedicated team at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, for once again hosting this special event. Their continued partnership has helped make Empty Bowls a cherished tradition since its inception.
In preparation for the luncheon, hundreds of community members and volunteers will gather at the Barnabas Center Community Studio to paint over 1,000 ceramic bowls at festive paint party sessions. These bowls will be featured at the event and in an online auction, representing the collective effort to fight hunger in Nassau County.
Bowl painting parties are a wonderful opportunity to blend creativity with compassion! The Empty Bowls event serves as a poignant reminder of the many “bowls” that need filling for those facing hunger and food insecurity in our community. Barnabas Center invites volunteers to dedicate their time and talents to paint beautiful bowls that will be given to guests at the event or auctioned off to raise funds. Every painted bowl represents a commitment to helping those in need, and with your support, we can create a meaningful impact together.
Drop-in painting is available every Wednesday from March through September, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Barnabas Center Studio, 1303 Jasmine St., Suite 104, Fernandina Beach.
You can also gather a group of up to 25 friends or colleagues on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Additional dates and times are available upon request.
To schedule a private group session or learn more, please contact Barb Decker at emptybowls@barnabasnassau.org or call 904.261.7000 ext. 106.
Ticket sales open October 1, 2025, and seating is limited.
Beginning October 14, 2025, the Empty Bowls Online Auction will go live at https://new.biddingowl.com/EmptyBowlsMarketplace, featuring one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted and hand-painted bowls donated by local artists, community groups, and residents. Proceeds from the auction support Barnabas Center’s nutrition and crisis assistance programs.
Event Chairpersons Jane and Jim DuCharme shared, “It’s a privilege to return as chairs for a second year and witness the incredible generosity this community continues to show. With the steadfast support of The Ritz-Carlton, our transportation sponsor Omni Resorts Amelia Island, and so many dedicated sponsors and volunteers, we are united in the effort to fill more bowls—and more hearts—across Nassau County.”
All proceeds benefit Barnabas Center’s mission to provide help and hope to individuals and families in need by improving their stability, health, and well-being.
For event details, ticket information, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit: https://barnabasnassau.org/empty-bowls/