The Empty Bowl Luncheon saw another record-breaking year! Thanks to you, the event raised enough money to help provide more than 773,590 meals to those struggling with hunger throughout Hall, Lumpkin, Union, Dawson and Forsyth counties.
This year’s luncheon recognized that the Faces of Hunger can be all around us, whether it’s a foster parent, a retired grandfather, a single mom, or the family dealing with sickness. But we also celebrated that with your contribution to GMFB, you are helping “FEED HOPE” to those in our community. Through a network of 70 partner agencies, more than 50,000 volunteers and over 20,000 donors, GMFB has been able to provide more than 33 million meals to those in need. We will continue to work together “‘Til No One is Hungry!”
The premiere of Allen Nivens’ original song “Overflowing” was presented at the luncheon, featuring two families whose lives have been impacted by the actions of Georgia Mountain Food Bank’s partner agencies.
This year also featured the selection of “The Mike Banks Reflections of the Heart” award in memory of philanthropist and friend of GMFB, Mike Banks of Gainesville. This legacy award is a part of Empty Bowl each year and is given to an individual whose contributions to GMFB truly reflect “the heart of a giver” in the same way that Mike Banks lived his life. This year’s recipient of “The Mike Banks Reflections of the Heart” award was Katie Dubnik.
“No one would be happier than Mike Banks himself, to see Katie Mathis Dubnik receive this recognition,” according to Kay Blackstock. “There is no doubt that Katie was raised by a family with values centered in faith, family and service. Giving back to community is in her DNA. It has been my pleasure to watch Katie rise as a leader in this community. The greatest joy is to observe her life reflecting her faith in all that she does.”
Other awards presented were to the corporate volunteer of the year Jensen Hauling and volunteer of the year Rodney Greene.
