• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • 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
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • 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

Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor speaks on the district's plans to maximize utilization.
  • January 18, 2026
Details firm up for Sarasota schools plan
Sarasota County Courthouse was voted 10th most beautiful public building in America.
  • January 17, 2026
Sarasota courthouse among nation's top civic buildings
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
  • January 17, 2026
Bradenton Area EDC names interim CEO
Barista Claudia Aridus pours a latte while Sara Rountree rinses a cup at Sips this January. The popular north-end coffee shop is expanding with a second location on Longboat Key.
  • January 16, 2026
Longboat Key coffee shop's success brews expansion

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

An aerial view of the Steans/Morrison property donated to Hermitage Artist Retreat.
  • January 17, 2026
Manasota Key artist retreat receives $12 million gift of land, homes
Attendees celebrate the opening of "Embracing Our Differences" at the 2024 exhibition.
  • January 16, 2026
Embracing our Differences exhibit opens Saturday
Dennis Brock works on a Magiscope in his workshop.
  • January 15, 2026
Local creator of children's microscope works to make science more accessible
  • January 15, 2026
What a Perimenopausal Woman and a Former Athlete Learned About Weight Loss
Steven Mark plays the drums.
  • January 14, 2026
Local drum circle members join musicians on stage during Meetup gathering
Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.
  • January 11, 2026
Runners turn out on Siesta Key Beach to keep Andrew Monroe's legacy alive

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.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now