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 Woodmen Life 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.
About The Clover Pick A Bowl Fill A Bowl
The event was established in 2006 at Pensacola State College under the direction of Dona Usry, former Manna Guild Member and PSC Board Member; Krist Lien, District Department Head of the Visual Arts Department; Dr. Jim Martin, former PSC Vice President of Administration; and Bill Clover, Visual Arts Professor. For the first two years, the fundraiser was called Throw A Bowl, and guests were invited to make their own bowls under the guidance of the Visual Arts Department. In 2008, the fundraiser changed to two events – Pick A Bowl and Fill A Bowl – and in 2017, the two events became one, Pick A Bowl Fill A Bowl. Professor Bill Clover, his students, other faculty members, and local artists from First City Arts Center contributed thousands of hours and created thousands of bowls for the events. In 2018, after Bill Clover passed away, the event was renamed The Clover Pick A Bowl Fill A Bowl in honor and memory of his commitment to the fundraiser that combines his passion for art and his dedication to the community.
About Manna
Manna’s mission is to offer emergency food assistance, service the food-related needs of vulnerable populations, and engage the entire community in the fight against hunger. A local grassroots organization with no national affiliation or government funding, Manna provided food to 71,005 people last year. Manna operates an emergency food distribution pantry and 18 food security programs with 25 community partners in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
