Marisa DeMar
News-Leader
The Barnabas Center reached its goal of raising at least $50,000 through the 12th annual Empty Bowls event Nov. 25, which was created to further the mission of combatting food insecurity in Nassau County.
The name “Empty Bowls” stems from hundreds of ceramic bowls that volunteers and local artists made that are sold via an auction, as well as given to attendees at the luncheon.
According to Barnabas Center’s website, the bowls serve as a metaphor for the “many bowls that need filling," referencing those who face food insecurity in the community.
At the sold-out luncheon that took place at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, the guests were served a deliberately “simple” meal of soup, bread and dessert, which was done with the intention of "reflecting the modest meals that struggling individuals and families often face.”
The center was able to hit the goal of making 1,000 painted bowls through hosting 71 paint parties at the Barnabas Center Community Studio, with more than 1,041 artists participating.
“These bowls served as meaningful reminders of the ongoing need to fill the ‘empty bowls’ of our neighbors experiencing food insecurity,” according to a statement from Barnabas.
The goal to raise $50,000 was set to match the $50,000 Henry Berghoef Memorial Challenge, which was a donation funded by Leslie Berghoef in memory of her husband, Henry. The press release stated the funds were matched through Empty Bowls.
“All donations to the Chall-enge Fund were matched, doubling the impact of every gift and significantly strengthening Barnabas Center’s ability to provide food assistance for local families.”
Barnabas Center is a non-profit organization in Nassau County providing food and resources for those in need. In addition to their soup kitchens in Fernandina Beach and Callahan, they also have a resale store called “New to You” located on South 14th Street in Fernandina Beach.