The success of the Pike County Salvation Army’s annual Empty Bowls Luncheon doesn’t just happen. In reality, it does “take a village,” said Kim May, director of the local Salvation Army Service Center.

“The Empty Bowls Luncheon each year provides funds to help feed the hungry in Pike County,” May said. “The Salvation Army Service Center in Troy uses the funds to help feed friends and neighbors in need so the Empty Bowls Luncheon is an important fundraiser for us.”

The 2015 Empty Bowls Luncheon will be on Friday, April 17 at the Bush Memorial Family Life Center in Troy.

Those who attend will make a $20 donation to Empty Bowls, have a hearty soup lunch with dessert and select a handmade pottery bowl to take home.

“For the Empty Bowls Luncheon to be success, it takes a lot of planning and a lot of support from the community,” May said. “And, that support includes making bowls for the luncheon. Art classes at local high schools and Troy University make bowls for the luncheon along with seniors at the Colley Senior Complex and other volunteers.

“Last year, we also had a Community Bowl Making Day and invited people in the community to come and make a bowl. It was a fun, learning experience and the bowls turned out great.”

Those who participated enjoyed making the bowls so much, the Empty Bowls committee wanted to have another Community Bowl Making Day this year. It is set for February 21 at the pottery room at the Colley Senior Complex.

There will be two bowl-making sessions from 9 until 11 a.m. and from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Those who participate in Community Bowl Making Day will be invited to return to the senior complex on March 7 to glaze their bowls.

Each session will be limited to 10 so those who would like to participate are encouraged to register as soon as possible by calling the Salvation Army Service Center at 334-808-1069. There is no charge for the bowl making sessions.

“Bowl making is a lot of fun and those who made bowls last year chose their bowls to take home following the luncheon,” May said.

The Salvation Army is also encouraging sponsorships for this year’s Empty Bowls Luncheon. Sponsorships are available in the amounts of $1,000, Platinum Sponsorship; $750, Gold Sponsorship; $500, Silver Sponsorship; $250, Bronze Sponsorship; and $100, Patron Sponsorship.”

For more information or to register for the bowl making sessions, call 808-1069 or visit the Salvation Army Service Center and Thrift Shop at 509 South Brundidge Street in Troy.