Sometimes it’s possible to have too much fun. But it’s never possible to do too much for others.

That’s something that Mark Twain might have said or Will Rogers. But even if they didn’t, Kim May, director of the Salvation Army Service Center in Troy, said there is always someone in need right here in Pike County.

“The needs are always great and we try to meet as many as we can,” May said. “The Salvation Army depends on the sales from our Thrift Store, donations, contributions and fundraisers to help those who are faced with difficult circumstances in their lives.

“Our Red Kettle Campaign is our largest fundraiser and we depend on our annual Empty Bowls Luncheon to help feed hungry in Pike County.”

The 2016 Empty Bowls Luncheon on April 15 at the Bush Memorial Baptist Church Fellowship Hall will feature bowls hand-crafted by local potters, university and high school art students and even some mud-mashers from outside the county.

Tickets for the Empty Bowls Luncheon for the soup buffet luncheon are $20 and everyone who purchases a ticket will get to choose from a selection of about 200 handcrafted bowls to take home.

“This year’s luncheon bowls were made by potters at the Colley Senior Complex, Carrie McLaney’s art students at Pike County High School and in the classes of Larry Percy and Jalota Jackson at Troy University.

“The Pike County Chamber of Commerce Leadership class also made bowls,” May said. “We, also, had a group from Geneva Baptist Church that wanted to participate and we were excited to have potters from out of town make bowls for our fundraiser. We appreciate and thank all of those who made bowls. These empty bowls are reminders of the hundreds — the thousands — of people who go to bed hungry every night.”

In addition to the selection of finely crafted clay bowls, the 2016 Salvation Army Empty Bowls Luncheon will include a silent auction that will feature celebrity bowls including a bowl designed by local potter Marion Parker and signed “Roll Tide! Nick Saban.”

“Any Alabama fan would be proud to have that bowl,” May said. “In fact, every bowl in the silent auction will be a treasure.”

Professional potter, Walter Black, and his mom, Drew Black, will have pottery on the auction table, as will professional potters, Margaret Barber from Montgomery and Lynn Koning from Dothan. Larry Percy will have pottery on the celebrity table. He is a State Arts Council Fellowship Award winner, as is Walter Black. “Potters from the Colley Senior Complex, Scott and Jeannie Swindall, Judy Baxter, Carter Sanders, Day Barnes, Millie Bigee and Marion Parker are celebrities in our arts community and they will have amazing pieces up for bid,” May said.

The celebrity potters’ silent auction is a fun and exciting way to shop and a great way to offer continued support of the Salvation Army’s efforts to feed the hungry in Pike County.

“We invite everyone to come, enjoy the soup and do a lot of shopping,” May said. “All of the funds raised support the Pike County Salvation Army Food Bank.”