Remembering Eva

Statement from the Community Harvest Board of Directors

Our hearts are heavy at Community Harvest as we say goodbye to a truly remarkable woman, Eva J. Barnfather. She passed away recently at the age of 103, and while we mourn her loss, we are so grateful for the incredible mark she left on our communities.

Eva was a force of nature—a guiding light who joined us in 2001 and quickly became a cherished part of our family. She had a passion for bringing people together over food, an unwavering belief in the good in people, and a no-nonsense approach to high standards. Her vision gave us two of our most beloved traditions: the monthly Harvest Café and The Noel Dinner.

In tribute to the woman who gave us so much, we will relaunch the Harvest Café in 2026 under a new name: Eva’s Café. We also proudly award the Community Harvest Eva J. Barnfather Scholarship to local high school students who share her passion for giving back.

Eva's legacy is a reminder that a life well-lived is about showing up and doing your best to support others. We invite you to honor Eva by getting involved in your own community. Do something to make it better, and as a nod to Eva, do it with people you love, no matter their age. Creating a vibrant community is a lifelong journey, and we’re so lucky she was a part of ours.

Per Eva’s wishes, make a donation.
Read Eva’s obituary.