“Spending time helping others is more worthwhile than any gratification received by only caring for yourself.” Bob Barnes
Bob once said, “I believe there are three groups of people that should command our attention and support”: elderly people, people with disabilities and children. His goal was to change humankind. “If you can capture a child’s mind … with character building and education and support on how to treat each other and stuff like that ― if you can capture a child’s imagination, let’s say before they’re 10 years old ― wow, you can change all of society,” he said. – John A. Torres, Florida Today
The Children’s Hunger Project is filled with a deep sense of loss as we bid farewell to our beloved founder, Bob Barnes. Bob was a visionary leader whose compassion and commitment to the welfare of children transformed countless lives. At the age of 70, he recognized the urgent need to address food insecurity among children and took decisive action to ensure that hungry kids would not go without meals on weekends. His initiative laid the foundation for The Children’s Hunger Project, which has since become a vital resource for many families in need.
Ten years later, at the age of 80, Bob continued to champion the cause of youth empowerment by founding Aspiration Academy. His commitment to fostering academic success and providing coaching for children in Brevard County reflects his unwavering belief in the potential of every child. Bob’s legacy will live on as the programs he established continue to serve and uplift the community, ensuring that children have the resources and support they need to thrive both in their education and in life.
As we acknowledge Bob’s incredible contributions, we invite the community to join us in honoring his memory by continuing his mission of compassion and support for children. Together, we can carry forward his vision and ensure that his impact is felt for generations to come.
Click here for our special edition newsletter tribute to Bob.
Here are some quotes from TCHP board members and the community:
The Children’s Hunger Project family is devastated at the loss of our beloved founder. He was generous and kind and his passion for helping the children of Brevard was second to none. He was such a big piece of our community beyond TCHP and meant so much to so many; he will be greatly missed. We will honor him and make him proud by carrying on his vision and his legacy will live on. Cheryl Cominsky
Bob was an incredible man of energy and talent! There’s not a room he went into that did not increase in joy! The legacy he has created through not just this organization, but the organizations he has touched over the years, specifically here in Brevard County, is one that will continue on well past any of us! We can all just hope that our impact could be a fraction of his! David Dischler
I’m so sad to hear this. He has suffered enough and can now rest in peace knowing that he worked to help so many kids until the very end. His legacy will live on in so many ways – the inspiration for every day people to start taking action, in all the volunteers and BOD members yet to come…and in all the children who will take the blessings of TCHP and pay it forward in their own way. I feel the weight of my responsibility to our mission even more at this moment. And I am confident that he will continue to guide us in a new way. Rosy K. Ohja
So sorry to hear this! He will be truly missed, but as reflected by many others already, he leaves a wonderful legacy! Doug McKee
So sad to hear this, Bob was a true humanitarian and one of the first people I met when we moved to Brevard, his passion for helping children got me involved! Ben Malik
Bob was a wonderful man. He was so kind AND generous. He will be missed. Karen Montas
My heart is so broken! What a great caring soul. Edna Wilson
I am shocked and saddened. What a great guy and he did so much for our community and children. Jonathan Reed
So sad to hear this. What a legacy he left in brevard and for all the children he served and with his passion we all must continue to serve. Monica Shah
Terribly sad news. We lost a genuinely special person. Ryan Firth
So sad to hear of Bob’s passing. He truly was a humanitarian who wanted to help the underserved. He will be missed. Delores Spearman
I didn’t know Bob well, but he certainly had a living legacy that followed him into every room and will continue to do so after his passing. His contributions to the community are simply legendary. He will be missed. Shana Marshall
In my eyes, Bob was a giant. Words cannot capture how deeply I will miss him. We working on a bridging the gap in education in Brevard County through our non profit Aspiration Academy. Bob, even though you’re gone the fight continues and I will continue the fight. Conrado Martinez
I’m very saddened that Bob has left this planet. I really looked up to Bob. He was a great advocate for those children who didn’t have voices but were dealing with the same issues that adults deal with when poverty is upon them. David Brubaker
What a guy. He loved children and he loved the community. I’ve never met a person with such a passion for helping kids. Bernard Bryan
Bob was an incredible human being. Always inspiring to be with – praying for all who knew him during this sad time. May we always remember how to live with generosity, gratitude, and concern for those who are less fortunate. Thank you Bob for living with purpose. Jennifer Ottomanelli
Bob Barnes was an amazing individual. He did so much to support our community. I am thankful thankful I was privileged to have known this amazing person. Terry Locke
I always remember his enthusiasm and vision of the way we could address the issue of kids in our neighborhood that were not being fed over the weekend. He was a true visionary and a dear friend. Phyllis Litteral Rhinehart
A terrific human being…rest in peace. Seeta Durjan Begui
My heart is sad to see this! I was so blessed to know him! He was one of the kindest men I know and gave so much to our community! He will definitely be missed. Tracey Nelson Latshaw
Oh Bob, what an amazing legacy you leave in The Children’s Hunger Project. You saw a need and got to work meeting that need. It was an honor volunteering with you in those early years. May your memory be a blessing. Leann Chaney
I am so sorry to hear this. Bob was a wonderful man and I worked with him for several years to raise money for The Children’s Hunger Project. He worked so hard to end hunger. Amazing man and a true inspiration. RIP Bob. Nadine Yaroma Smith
My deepest sympathy. Bob had a servants heart. Blessed to have known him and volunteer with him. Sara Landsiedel
A true legend and righteous man. His memory will forever be a blessing to us all. Brooke Deratany Goldfarb
Yes, he was a gem of a man!! Jean Louzon
Sending Love & Light at this time! My condolences to all! Many blessings! Tiffani Ann
He will be missed. Betsy Dodd Farmer
What a legacy you have left. You will be missed. Sandy Clark Pfrimmer
Such a wonderful man. So blessed and proud to have known him. Kathy DuBois Kneapler
My deepest sympathy. Mary Ann Poluzzi
Good bloke ! RIP. Jon Moyle
What an absolutely amazing impact he has had on so many. He must have been an incredible man. Our condolences to his family, friends, the CHP staff, and the volunteers who knew him. Janelle Sheppard
Truly a giant of goodness, kindness and caring. Deborah Max