The Pike County Salvation Army will host the 10th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday at the Bush Memorial Christian Life Center.

For a $20 donation, the Troy and Pike County communities will have the opportunity to fill the empty bowls of friends and neighbors in need, said Kim May, local Salvation Army director.

“There are many people in our area who have empty bowls, especially the elderly who are living on fixed incomes,” May said. “Some of our senior adults have to decide between their medications or buying food or paying their utilities. There is a need and Empty Bowls helps meet those needs.”

All proceeds from the annual Empty Bowls Luncheon benefit the Pike County Salvation Army’s Food Bank.

Those who support the Empty Bowls Luncheon have the opportunity to select a handmade clay bowl to take home as a visual reminder that every night there are millions of empty bowls around the world.

“Bowls were made by seniors at the Colley Senior Complex, students at Pike County High School and Troy University, potters at the Alabama Clay Conference and individuals,” May said. “The bowls are in different sizes, shapes and colors. Choosing an empty bowl can be a difficult choice. Hopefully, supporting Empty Bowls will be an easy choice.”

Not only will those who purchase a ticket to the luncheon have the opportunity to select a clay bowl, they may also fill a bowl with their choice of 23 soups, stews and chilies from local restaurants and home kitchens.

“We’ll have a wide variety of soups from tomato and loaded potato to Wild Rice Minnesota, turnip soup and a Chinese soup from the Confucius Institute at Troy University,” May said. “Also on the soup bar will be gumbo, camp stew, Brunswick stew, chilies hot and mild, shrimp gumbo, jambalaya and even a few surprises.

A platter of cornbread will complement the soups and desserts will top them off.

The Empty Bowls silent auction will feature bowls made by local potters including professional potters Walter Black, Larry Allen and Larry Percy and Drew Black,  Scott and Jeannie Swindall, Marion Parker, Judy Baxter, Carter Sanders, Millie Biggy, John Biggy and Day Barnes.  Hank Williams, Jr. didn’t make a bowl but he did sign one.

“Bidding should be competitive because we have outstanding bowls,” May said. “The silent auction will end at 1:30 p.m.

Entertainment for the 2019 Empty Bowls Luncheon will be by Ed Whatley, singer and musician.