All of the beans have been counted for the 2014 Empty Bowls fundraiser.
The Pike County Salvation Army’s 5th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon on April 11 raised $5,700 to help feed the hungry in the Pike County community.
Kim May, director of the local Salvation Army Service Center, said the amount raised topped last year’s Empty Bowls fundraiser by $1,200.
“The Pike County Salvation Army Service Center is so blessed and we are so pleased,” May said. “We are thankful for all of those who made the 2014 Empty Bowls Luncheon such a great success. Each year the Empty Bowls Luncheon is bigger than the year before. More people are learning about Empty Bowls and the role it plays in helping friends and neighbors in times of need and more people are taking part.
“This year, we had a community bowl-making day and had great participation in that. Pike County High School art students, Troy University arts students and seniors at the Colley Complex continue to make bowls for us.”
May say the 2014 Empty Bowls event featured more than 200 bowls, including bowls made by local celebrities.
“The celebrity bowls were on the silent auction table and raised $860 for our annual fundraiser,” she said. “The bidding is very competitive for the celebrity bowls.”
Fred Hunter, host of “Absolutely Alabama” chose the Salvation Army’s Empty Bowls Luncheon for a segment of his popular television travel show, which will air at 5:30 a.m.  July 19 on WSFA-TV.
“I know that’s early, especially for a Saturday morning,” May said. “But ‘Absolutely Alabama’ is shown at other times in other areas so it will be seen by a lot of people. And, too, those shows are often replayed so we’ll get a lot of exposure on ‘Absolutely Alabama.’ We thank Fred Hunter for being here.”
The funds raised by the Empty Bowls Luncheon will be used to stock the food pantry at the Pike County Salvation Army Service Center on South Brundidge Street.
“The Salvation Army’s food pantry is available for people who are in emergency type situations,” she said. “And, there are lot of people who find themselves in these situations. People who can’t find work, those who are on disability and those who are living on social security and have unexpected or added expenses often don’t have enough money even for food.”
May said food stamps are not fix-alls for many people.
“We have elderly people who come in and they only get $12 or $14 a month in food stamps,” she said. “How long can you eat on $12?  Many elderly people have to decide whether to buy food or medicine. They need our help.”
To qualify for assistance through the Salvation Army, an individual must make application. Monthly income and expenses are a part of the application process.