Ten years ago, Larry Percy and Marion Parker approached Kim May, director of the Pike County Salvation Army, with an idea they thought would be a good fit for the Salvation Army’s efforts to feed the hungry here at home.

From that idea, the Salvation Army’s Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon became a reality. On April 12, the Empty Bowls Luncheon will celebrate its milestone anniversary with a silent auction that features celebrity bowls that include country music star Hank Williams, Jr. and highly acclaimed professional potters, Larry Allen and Walter Black, as well as a stellar lineup of local potters, Day Barnes, Judy Baxter, John Biggy, Millie Biggie, Drew Black, Carrie McLaney, Marion Parker, Carter Sanders and others.

The silent auction is an attraction for the Salvation Army’s Empty Bowls Luncheon but it is not the main reason for the large number of people who attend each year.

“The Empty Bowls Luncheon is designed to bring greater awareness to worldwide hunger and to raise funds to support the local Salvation Army Food Bank that helps feed the hungry here at home,” May said. “The people of Pike County really do care and we greatly appreciate their support of our Empty Bowls Luncheon.”

The Pike County Salvation Army’s 10th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon which will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 12 at the Family Life Center at Bush Memorial Baptist Church in Troy.

“The idea for Empty Bowls originated with a school teacher who wanted her students to become more aware of worldwide hunger,” May said. “The empty bowls are reminders that, worldwide, one in six people don’t have enough to eat to lead healthy lives. Each person who purchases a ticket will select an empty bowl to take home as a constant reminder of worldwide hunger and that there are people right here in Pike County that don’t have enough to eat.”

The empty bowls are made by townspeople, Pike County High School students, Larry Percy’s pottery students at Troy University and members of 2019 Leadership Pike and even the director of the Pike County Salvation Army Service Center Kim May. And for a $20 donation, the ticket holders will be invited to a lunch that features about 20 different soups, chilies, stews and campstews, breads, beverages and desserts.

“Ed Whatley will be our featured entertainment this year and, of course, everyone enjoys the fellowship that is shared over a bowl of soup,” May said. “We encourage our community to make plans now to join us for Empty Bowls on April 12.”

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