The 9th Annual Pike County Salvation Army Empty Bowls Luncheon is set for Friday at Bush Memorial Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on George Wallace Drive in Troy.

Kim May, local Salvation Army director, said this year’s Empty Bowls Luncheon will, once again, feature some of world’s best soups, stews, chilies and gumbos created by local chefs.

“Tickets for the Empty Bowls Luncheon are $20 and include the all-you-can-eat soup bar that will feature a variety of “soups and such” from Flo’s Restaurant, Dulche’s, BGraves, Santa Fe, Sodexo and Ruby Tuesday as well as from local chefs who are well-known for their kitchen creations.

“On the bar, we’ll also have breads and some of the best desserts this side of heaven,” May said. “Carter Sanders’ famous bread puddin’ is back by popular demand as is Olene Sanders’ secret recipe pound cake.”

Tickets for the Empty Bowls luncheon are $20 and include the soup and such bar, a handmade clay bowl to take home, entertainment by Lenny Trawick, award-winning singer/songwriter and the fellowship of friends and neighbors.

Ticket holders also have the opportunity to bid on celebrity bowls made by local potters, including Walter Black, Drew Black, Larry Percy, Marianne Parker, Judy Baxter, Carrie McLaney, Judy Baxter, Carter Sanders and more.

This year, May has created a bowl that should keep bidders coming back to the block.

On the bid block, there will also bowls created by professional potters who participated in the prestigious Clay Conference and also bacon cookers signed by Pike Piddlers storytellers, Donald Davis and Josh Goforth.

“And, of course, the greatest reward of Empty Bowls is the good feeling that we get from helping to feed those in need right here at home,” May said. “Sometimes we forget that the Salvation Army is here to meet the many needs of our neighbors. By putting money in our coffer, Empty Bowls helps keep our food pantry stock and also frees up money for emergency situations and unexpected difficulties in our community.”

The Empty Bowls Luncheon will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Bush Memorial. Tickers are $20 and will be available at the door.