Why this matters: Money raised from the sold-out event will provide the equivalent of 39,000 healthy meals for hungry neighbors in need in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“This event is Manna’s largest fundraiser of the year and provides critical financial support for our organization,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Executive Director of Manna.
“Potters, sponsors, food vendors, volunteers, and event guests have raised the bar again, making this year’s event an overwhelming success! Their generous support makes it possible for Manna to continue providing healthy food to children, senior citizens, veterans, families, and individuals in need right here in our community.”
Crowd Favorites: Vendors brought their A-game to compete for the event’s first-ever People’s Choice Award. Event guests were able to sample food offered by each vendor and cast their votes through cash donations to Manna.
At the conclusion of the event, Chef Dot with Khon’s on Palafox was presented with a one-of-a-kind handmade award bowl for winning the 2024 Clover Pick A Bowl Fill A Bowl People’s Choice Award for his Hot and Sour Soup.
Dig Deeper: In 2018, the annual event was renamed in honor and memory of longtime supporter Bill Clover. Clover, a Pensacola State College Visual Arts professor for 52 years, was instrumental in starting and sustaining the 17-year event that has raised money to help thousands of hungry people.
“Clover was instrumental in starting this event for Manna and continuing its success all these years. Naming the event after him is our small way of honoring Clover for his love of our community and a way of celebrating his legacy for years to come,” said Flounlacker.
The event was made possible by the faculty, students, and friends of the Pensacola State College Visual Arts Department, First City Arts Center, local artists, businesses, and vendors that provided sponsorships and donations of art, food, beverages, and other in-kind goods and services. Cat Country 98.7, Margie and Alan Moore, Northwest Florida AC, and WEAR ABC 3 were the 2024 Porcelain level sponsors.
This year’s restaurants and food vendors included Apple Market, Azalea Trace, Blackwater Bistro, Classic City Catering, The Farm, The Grand Marlin, Khon’s on Palafox, Mr. Pollo Pensacola, Nouveau Pastries & Catering, Pensacola Yacht Club, Steel Pony Diner, The Ticket, WEAR ABC 3 News – Bob Solarski, and Where Y’at Seafood.
Animal Tales, Appleyard Duncan McCall, Cat Country 98.7, Evergreen Printing and Mailing, First City Art Center, The Lewis Bear Company, Merchants Paper Company, Pensacola State College Visual Arts Department, Republic National Distributing Company, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, and WEAR ABC 3 were the 2024 in-kind sponsors.