• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Bowls of Hope helps fill the bowls of those in need


  • By Ian Swaby
  • | 8:45 a.m. November 12, 2024
Gino Calleja and Cristel Ramires serve soup with Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill.
Gino Calleja and Cristel Ramires serve soup with Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill.
Photo by Ian Swaby
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The 1818 Grill is in its first year of business, and its owner Tommy Lovell said he wanted to continue the legacy of charity of the restaurant which formerly occupied the space, Knick's Tavern and Grill.

Among the many charity causes with which he decided to become involved was the annual Bowls of Hope fundraiser by All Faiths Food Bank.

"You couldn't pick a better charity to support and foster their growth in the community," he said. "They do great work, and we're just very proud to be a part of it."

The food bank's most attended fundraiser of the year, the event was held Nov. 10 at Ed Smith Stadium and brought together a sale of bowls by local artisans, and samples of soups and other items from local restaurants. 

All Faiths Food Bank CEO Nelle Miller said she was impressed with how the community came together in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, with the stadium already available to host the event. 

"The bowls are beautiful," she said. "It's incredible that all 40-plus vendors who brought soup showed up, because they donate all of their food and time, and they've all had their own issues as a result of the storm, so this is just an amazing, feel-good, generous, wonderful day."

Ken Brownley and Franck Johannesen of Sarasota Woodturners create a bowl from a wood block.
Ken Brownley and Franck Johannesen of Sarasota Woodturners create a bowl from a wood block.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kristen Berry of Sarasota Clay Company makes a bowl.
Kristen Berry of Sarasota Clay Company makes a bowl.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Zoey Gross, 5, looks over the bowls.
Zoey Gross, 5, looks over the bowls.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Abigail Bragg and Jesse Mann of Siesta Key Oyster Bar serve soup to Samantha Lemmer.
Abigail Bragg and Jesse Mann of Siesta Key Oyster Bar serve soup to Samantha Lemmer.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Gino Calleja and Cristel Ramires serve soup with Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill.
Gino Calleja and Cristel Ramires serve soup with Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Bob Simas, and Brian Smith of Bonefish Grill
Bob Simas, and Brian Smith of Bonefish Grill
Photo by Ian Swaby
Debra Thuet, whose son Jules Thuet co-owns Bread Bandits, offers a piece of its organic bread.
Debra Thuet, whose son Jules Thuet co-owns Bread Bandits, offers a piece of its organic bread.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The 1818 Grill owner Tommy Lovell and chef Fernando Jiminez offer soup to Lauren Koken.
The 1818 Grill owner Tommy Lovell and chef Fernando Jiminez offer soup to Lauren Koken.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Attendees could browse a variety of bowls.
Attendees could browse a variety of bowls.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Brandy Bay mixes a bowl of chili from Gecko's Grill & Pub.
Brandy Bay mixes a bowl of chili from Gecko's Grill & Pub.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Adrian Ruiz and Tyler Murner browse the bowls.
Adrian Ruiz and Tyler Murner browse the bowls.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Don and Barbara Pelersi browse the bowls.
Don and Barbara Pelersi browse the bowls.
Photo by Ian Swaby

 

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.

Latest News

Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt
A rendering of the street level of 1260 North Palm Residences.
  • May 7, 2026
Condo tower controversy appears headed back to mediation
Beginning June 1, 2026, parking fees will be enforced in all city parking decks, such as the St. Armands Circle garage, 24/7.
  • May 7, 2026
Paid city parking hours extended and fines for violations increased
Manatee County commissioners approve an over $50,000 a month contract for a backup generator for the administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.
  • May 6, 2026
$12.48M generator request causes concern over Manatee County 'money pit'

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Photo Credit: John Revisky
  • May 7, 2026
Where Prestige Meets Performance: Redefining Real Estate Excellence
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase
Casey Gonzmart Jr. explains a PowerPoint slide to the club.
  • May 3, 2026
Fifth-generation Columbia owner discusses restaurant's endurance
Members of the community can obtain plots in the garden.
  • May 2, 2026
Limelight Community Garden hosts grand opening
Katie Kephart and Shawn Tritschler get into the 80's spirit.
  • May 2, 2026
Downtown Sarasota takes a turn back to the '80s
Hugh Culverhouse Jr.
  • May 1, 2026
Philanthropist seeds matching fund with $250,000 promise

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free