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Around this time every year, the Pike County Salvation Army Service Centers hosts the Empty Bowls Luncheon in an effort to fill empty bowls here at home and far beyond.

Once again, of Friday the caring showed through, said Donna Kidd, service center manager.

“Our community has always had a caring and giving spirt and, again, we were blessed so that others can be blessed.

Empty Bowls 2024 is the 15th Annual fundraiser that benefits the Pike County Salvation Army, Food Bank and Social Services.

And, the attendance was surprisingly large.

“We always know that the people in our county will be supportive of the Empty Bowls Luncheon,” Kidd said. “This is the first time that we have had to bring in extra tables. That is, perhaps, an indication of the understanding that there is hunger here at home as well in far and distant places.”

Kidd said it would not be possible to name all those who contributed to Empty Bowls 2024 in also many different ways.

She expressed appreciation to Bush Baptist Church for providing the Family Life Center each year for the Empty Bowls Luncheon.

Sponsors are essential to the success of each and every fundraiser, Kidd said. “And, our sponsors not only donate dollars they are also hands on deck. There are no words to express what the sponsorships mean to the success of the Empty Bowls Lunch which make possible to do the most good for our friends and neighbors.”

The 2024 Empty Bowls sponsors: Gold, Torah Clubs of Troy, Carter Sanders and Woodmen Life Chapter 420; Silver: Publix; Bronze: South Alabama Electric; Patron: Home Gallery; Witherington Insurance Group, Industrial Component Sales, Organized Community Action, Cindy Hinton, Dr. Virginia Hamm, Blue Key Properties, Skeen Funeral Home, Casey Propane Gas Company and Jones Medical Supply; Friends, UPS Store and Skeen Funeral Home.

The Pike County Salvation Army Service Center.

And, what would a luncheon be without those who donated the soup and desserts, handmade auction items, entertainment and publicity for Empty Bowls