13th Annual Empty Bowls - Amelia Island 2026

Empty Bowls: support our mission to end hunger. The annual Empty Bowls luncheon is a cherished tradition hosted by Barnabas Center, uniting the community to raise awareness and support for those facing food insecurity in Nassau County. Symbolizing the reality of hunger, guests share a simple meal of soup, bread and dessert, reflecting the modest meals that struggling individuals and families often face. Each attendee takes home a beautiful hand-painted ceramic bowl, created by local artists and volunteers. 13th annual Empty Bowls luncheon on November 24, 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, 4750 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island, FL, noon to 1 p.m. Tickets: SOLD OUT! Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. Complimentary parking starts at 10:45 a.m. at Peters Point Beach Front Park, with shuttle service by Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Online auction of painted bowls: bidding website open from Monday, November 2, 2026 at 8 a.m. until Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Henry Berghoef Memorial Challenge: Barnabas Center thanks Leslie Berghoef for funding the challenge in honor of her late husband; donations to the Challenge Fund are matched up to $50,000, online or on the day using the envelopes provided. Empty Bowls is supported by a grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund, est. 2015. Sponsorship for this year's luncheon has closed. Funds support nutrition, empowerment, behavioral, medical and dental services for individuals in Nassau County. This year we remember Tania Yount, Barnabas Center's former Chief Development Officer; many sponsorships are in her memory. Sponsors. Legacy Sponsor. Diamond Sponsors: Sheila & William Braddock; The James and Dorothy Baer Foundation. Titanium Sponsors: Anonymous x 2; Betty Berkman; Liza Cotter; Judy & David Easterly; The Faith, Hope & Love Foundation; Andrea & Corky Hoffman; Sandy Logan Mullman & John Mullman. Presenting Sponsors: Anonymous; Kristen & Dan Bobear; Wende & Michael Burdick; Richard Burroughs & Nancy Bartmess; Eileen & Wayne Cole; Pamela Fox & Jim Raycraft; Anne & Bill Gower; Betsy & Rod Odom; Janet Pfeffer; Robert Roncska; Mary Anne Sharer. Platinum Sponsors: Jane & Jim DuCharme; Sarah Edwards; Dana & John Gaydac; Christy & Tom Henrichs; Farley Kern & Mike Petro; Kim & Mike Mills; Lyn Pannone & Steve Nadeau; Moya & Fred Phelleps; Dianne & Michael Sullivan. Gold Sponsors: Sandy & Jim Bollenbacher; Charlotte & Mike Bowling; Bright Morning Star Donor Advised Fund; Robin & Robert Cormier; Carol Curley & Peter Kellogg; Buddy & Cathy Eller; Thea & Bob Gude; Lynn & Tom Herlihy; Suzie & Jim Hocker; Peggy & Tony Kolasa; Philip Hawkins, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; Jill & Jerry Mathe; Eileen McCourt & Michael Adelman; Peggy & Jim McCurry; Diana & J.W. McKinnie; Gina & Walter Scheller; Annie Sparkle; Villani Family Foundation. Silver Sponsors: Anonymous x 2; Andrea & Lou Alvarado; Charlotte & David Beltrami; Amelia & Frank Bennett; Catherine Bertram; BRC Florida Holdings; Patricia Caballero; Cheryl & Rich Deem; Lyn Deroy; Lauri & Bob Dewey; Marie Rizzo Fenn & Mark Fenn; Lorraine Franza & Ed Cranston; Mary Gallagher & John Laudenslager; Pat & Hugh Hayden; Frances & Alan Herzog; Julie Holland & Charlie Carr; Montez & Ron Jacobson; Judy & Ben Johnson; Angie & Steve Jones; Maria & Bruce Kabath; Susan Kearney; Karen & Rick Kirkendall; Eileen & Stuart Klein; Kathleen & Jamie Knorring; Janet & Ron Kolar; Judith & Olav Kollevoll; Nancy & Donald Kyle; Kate Ligare; Judy & Scott McCue; Connie & Ken McDaniel; Monahan & Todd Wealth Management Group, Merrill Wealth Management; J. Shannon O'Conner & The O'Conner Families; Lynn Oldham & Michael Granucci; Gordon Ondra, M.D.; Susanne & Justin Pelham-Webb; Elizabeth Raker; Jamie & Stephen Reynolds; Gigi & Steve Roark; Vicki & Marc Satterthwaite; Judy & Bob Schmonsees; Sheila Shaffer; Melissa & Terry Shirey; Linda Simmons & Louis Tuzy; Teresa & Rick Smith; Ellen Stone; Nancy & Rick St. Jean; Donna & Jim Sweet; Carol & Norman Weldon; Amy & Doug Wilsterman. Bronze Sponsors: Anonymous x 2; Barefoot Amelia Beach Rentals; Lizan & Greg Brand; Constance & Herb Buck; Becki & Paul Clark; Bonnie & Charles Clifton; Davis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Ed's Comfort Solutions, Inc.; First Port City Bank; Flynn Family Foundation; Mimi & Paul Grube; Karen Hackett & Robert Carlisle; Virginia & Steve Hendrickson; Becky & Stanton Hudmon; Lynn & John Katzenmeyer; Donna & Mark Paz Kaufman; Susan & Stephen Kaye; Victoria & Ken Lanier; Kara & Jim Lawrence; Deborah & Philip Lehman; Antoinette & Michael Nelson; North Florida Land Trust; Parker Contracting Inc.; Maureen Paschke; Gail & Michael Pierdiluca; Leslie & Richard Pierpont; PrimeSouth Bank; Lynn & Doug Roche; Molly Meakin Rogers; Scott & Sons Fine Jewelry; Helen Burnett Sessions; Marcia & Steve Sholty; Gregory Shurman; Mary & Conrad Sutter; Tracy & Rick Woodall; Jan & Glenn Young. Copper Sponsors: Deborah & Watt Alston; Andrea F. Lennon, P.A.; Lynne & David Beauchamp; Berkshire Hathaway HS Chaplin Williams Real Estate; Linda Caginalp & Michael Ferro; Courson & Stam, CPA/Amelia Insurance; Joan & Steve Eddy; First Coast Group – Thrivent; Cherry & Dan Gallagher; Holly & Michael Gebel; Motsy & Jack Hanna; Hot Paws Pet Resort; Minna & Alfred Laub; Evelyn & Ned McCormack; Carol P. Newburger; Jack O'Keefe; Karla & Mark Overdyk; Jean Palamar; Colette & Kendall Parsons; Paul Clark Ford; Salli & Rob Roberts; Solstice Personal Training and Wellness; Brian Tennyson; Therapeutic Solutions of Amelia.

Barnabas Center's 13th annual Empty Bowls luncheon takes place at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, from noon to 1 p.m. Guests share a simple meal of soup, bread and dessert and take home a hand-painted ceramic bowl made by local artists and volunteers. An online auction of painted bowls runs from 2 November 2026 (8 a.m.) to 24 November (11:59 p.m.). Donations to the Henry Berghoef Memorial Challenge are matched up to $50,000. Tickets are sold out; free parking is at Peters Point Beach Front Park with Omni Amelia Island shuttles from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.