Most of us reading this don’t have to face empty bowls. In fact, our cups (and bowls) overflow with abundance and plenty. Even as we complain about rising gas prices, increases food prices and the taxes that take a bigger cut of our paycheck each week, we know we will have enough food on our table for dinner tonight … and the ability to feed our families in the days, weeks and months to come.

But for many of our neighbors right here in Pike County, that’s not the case. And for those folks, the Salvation Army’s food pantry is one resource that can help fill their bowls … at least for a short while.

Last year, the Salvation Army food pantry served 500 families, and officials say it is on pace to double that number in 2013. The need is growing, and we must respond.

The Salvation Army’s annual Empty Bowls fund-raising luncheon takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Bush Memorial Baptist Church. For the cost of a $20 ticket, you can sample from nine homemade soups and choose your pick of a hand-crafted pottery bowl, made by local artisans and celebrities alike.

Most important, the proceeds of the event will help fund food pantry at the Salvation Army and help fill the empty bowls of needy neighbors throughout the year.