‘’Til no one is hungry’: Empty Bowl Lunch aims to take a stand against hunger

The Georgia Mountain Food Bank is gearing up for its Empty Bowl Luncheon on Friday, Sept. 27, to help raise funds for its mission to take a stand against hunger “’til no one is hungry” in Hall, Lumpkin, Union, Forsyth and Dawson counties.

Following last year’s sold-out event, which raised over $217,000 to provide nearly 1.1 million meals, expectations are high once again.

With just a week until the annual event, Rebecca Thurman, executive director at Georgia Mountain Food Bank, said that a few table sponsorships are still available, and so far, they’ve raised enough to provide 856,045 meals. With the addition of silent and live auctions at the event, they hope to surpass their goal and provide more than a million meals.

The luncheon has expanded from 60 tables at First Baptist Church of Gainesville to a full capacity of 98 tables, accommodating roughly 1,000 guests at the Ramsey Conference Center. Thurman emphasizes the critical role community support plays as the population in their service areas continues to grow.

“Empty Bowl has become a beloved tradition in Hall County,” Thurman said. “Our local businesses display our bowls proudly, showing their advocacy for our mission to feed those in need. The demand for our services has surged since the pandemic, and events like this help offset the increasing costs of food and support.”

This year’s event promises exciting offerings, including unique items in the silent auction and live auction bowls including Country Superstars Dustin Lynch, Deana Carter and the Oak Ridge Boys, along with Former Governor Nathan Deal and a friendly competition among local first responders Sheriff Gerald Couch, Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish and Gainesville Fire Chief Brandon Ellis, among others.

In addition to fundraising efforts, the Georgia Mountain Food Bank has recently completed a significant $4.6 million warehouse expansion, celebrated with a grand opening on February 23rd. Thurman invites community members to tour the improved facility and see firsthand how they’re enhancing their capacity to serve.

At the core of Georgia Mountain Food Bank’s mission is the fight against food insecurity in its five-county service area. As an affiliate of Feeding America, the organization plays a vital role in the collection, storage, and redistribution of food from various sources, serving 63 food pantries and supporting mobile distribution programs. Last fiscal year alone, they distributed more than 8.5 million meals, yet the challenge remains daunting, with 1 in 8 neighbors in their area experiencing food insecurity.

Thurman reiterates the importance of community involvement, saying, “Your help is essential as requests for emergency food continue to rise, affecting children, seniors and working families.”

The Times