Empty bowls were filled with more than $2,000 Friday at the Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Pike County Salvation Army.

The 2nd Annual Empty Bowls event was held at the Colley Senior Complex Annex and a large crowd gathered at noon in support of the Pike County Salvation Army and to select a handcrafted bowl and then fill it with their choice of soup and stew.

“We had more people than last year and that’s an indication that the Empty Bowls fundraiser is generating more interest and it’s growing,” said Kim May, director of the Pike County Salvation Army. “Everyone seemed to really enjoy picking out their bowls and the fellowship of the event. And, the food was delicious. We had a great time and made a lot of money to purchase items for our food bank. The purpose of Empty Bowls is to feed the hungry and we have a lot of people who are served through the Pike County Salvation Army food bank.”

The bowls were donated by Larry Percy and his art students at Troy University, the senior adult potters at the Colley Senior Complex and professional artists who participate in the annual Alabama Clay Conference.

There were also several celebrity “bowlers” including Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford whose bowl brought the most money in the silent auction, $70.

“We appreciate the generosity of those who donated bowls,” May said. “Without them, there would be no event. We also appreciate those who came and purchased bowls. They made the Empty Bowls luncheon a great success.”

May said hopes are to have more celebrities to design or make bowls next year.

“The Empty Bowls luncheon is $20 and those who attend get to enjoy the lunch and then take a handcrafted bowl home,” May said. “The bowls alone are worth $20 or more. It’s a fun way to raise money for the Salvation Army food bank, which is such a worthwhile cause and one that benefits so many people here in Pike County.”