Tickets for Barnabas Center’s 12th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraising Luncheon on Sale this Month
Fernandina Beach, FL — Tickets go on sale on October 1 for the 12th annual Barnabas Center Empty Bowls Luncheon that 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. There are a limited number of tickets available.
AN EMPTY BOWL IS A SYMBOL OF HUNGER. As 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—, to serve as a reminder to guests of the many empty bowls that still need filled in our community to help those who struggle with food insecurity.
Barnabas Center is deeply grateful to Mr. Greg Cook, General Manager, and the ladies and gentleman 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.
The Empty Bowls event is made possible through the generosity of sponsors. Titanium sponsors include two anonymous donors, The James and Dorothy Baer Foundation, Betty Berkman, Sheila and William Braddock, Liza and Terry Cotter, Judy and David Easterly, The Faith, Hope & Love Foundation, Andrea and Corky Hoffman, Melonie and Jeff Murphy and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Presenting Sponsors include an anonymous donor, Debbie and John Baechle, Wende and Michael Burdick, Donna Lovely Photos, Jane and Jim DuCharme, First Presbyterian Church, Pam Fox and Jim Raycraft, Anne and Bill Gower, Betsy and Rod Odom, and Mary Anne Sharer. Barnabas Center thanks all of the sponsors whose support ensures the success of Empty Bowls and strengthens their mission to provide food assistance and hope for neighbors in need.
Barnabas Center also thanks the over 1,000 community members and volunteers who gathered in the Barnabas Center Community Studio to paint over 1,000 ceramic bowls at 71 festive paint party sessions. These bowls will be featured at the event and in an online auction marketplace, representing the collective effort to fight hunger in Nassau County.
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, Amelia Island and 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/.
About Barnabas Center
Barnabas Center’s mission is to provide help and hope to individuals and families in need throughout Nassau County, improving their stability, health, and well-being. Learn more at www.BarnabasNassau.org.