News

The 2026 Clover Pick A Bowl Fill A Bowl, presented by Sandy Sansing Dealerships, raised $78,694 for Manna Food Bank thanks to the generosity of several local sponsors, artists, restaurants/food vendors, donors, and event attendees. Money raised from the event – the most the event has ever raised – will provide the equivalent of 47,216 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.”

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. ADX Communications, Jewelers Trade Shop, Northwest Florida A/C, WEAR 3, and WoodmenLife were the 2026 Porcelain level sponsors.

This year’s restaurants and food vendors included Apple Market, Azalea Trace/ACTS, Classic City Catering, Culinary Productions, The District, Family Ty’s Good Eats, The Farm, The Grand Marlin, Nouveau Pastries & Catering, Sonny’s BBQ, Steel Pony Diner, Tacos El Fluffy, The Ticket, and WEAR 3 – Bob Solarski. Vendors brought their A-game to compete for the event’s 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 Bob Solarski with WEAR 3 was presented with a one-of-a-kind handmade award bowl for winning the 2026 Clover Pick A Bowl Fill A Bowl People’s Choice Award for his Pumpkin Lobster Bisque.

ADX Communications, Alpha-Lit Marquee Letters, Appleyard Duncan McCall, Evergreen Printing and Mailing, First City Art Center, The Lewis Bear Company, Merchants Paper Company, Pensacola News Journal, Pensacola State College Visual Arts Department, Republic National Distributing Company, and WEAR 3 were the 2026 in-kind sponsors.

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 19-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.