The Georgia Mountain Food Bank held the 16th Annual Empty Bowl Luncheon at Lanier Technical College’s Ramsey Conference Center Friday.
Executive Director for the organization Rebecca Thurman said the event drew in 98 table sponsors, all to help fundraise to provide resources to those who need it most.
“Our goal is to raise enough money to provide a million meals to the community," she said. "We support and provide food to pantries across Hall, Dawson, Lumpkin, Union and Forsyth counties, in order for them to support the 66,000 food insecure people in our communities.”
The Empty Bowl Luncheon displays ceramic bowls painted by community members throughout the year to represent those facing food insecurity. The USDA defines “food insecurity” as the lack of access to adequate food due to a lack of money and other resources. As of 2023, 14.9 % of Georgians were estimated to be food insecure, according to GMFB’s website. At the event, each attendee takes a bowl home with them to remember the cause.
“This community truly comes together,” Thurman said. “Last year, unfortunately, we had to cancel the event due to Hurricane Helene. So the fact that all of our sponsors came back is truly a testament to this community.”
Kimber Sheffield, a first-time volunteer for the event, shared that the estimated turnout for the fundraiser hit a new record.
“It's so neat to see everybody come together,” Sheffield shared. “This year, the turnout [is] like, 1000 people…It's so cool to see 1000 bowls [displayed] all at one time, too.”
The Georgia Mountain Food Bank distributes food to 61 nonprofit partner agencies and distribution sites within the Northeast Georgia Region. Through Fiscal Year 2025, the non-profit was able to distribute 10,012,236 pounds of food, which is enough to serve roughly 8.3 million meals.
