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Empty Bowls 2020 is set for Friday, September 18 at the Bush Baptist Church Christian Life Center.

The times are 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Empty Bowls meal is $20 and includes a handmade clay bowl to take home as a reminder of the thousands who go to sleep hungry each night.

Empty Bowls is an annual fundraiser for the Pike County Salvation Army and supports the service center’s food bank.

Kim May, Salvation Army director, said Empty Bowls is the local Salvation Army’s second largest fund raiser, next to the annual Red Kettle Campaign.

“Empty Bowls is a way to help those in our community who are in need,” May said. “It is also a reminder that many people here in our community often go to be hungry at night. Empty Bowls helps feed the elderly, the children, the sick, the homeless and those who are facing unexpected dire circumstances and all right here in our own communities.”

May said Empty Bowls is especially important this year because COVID-19 has placed additional hardships on so many people.

“We have had to reschedule Empty Bowls several times but it is important that we have it because it is so important for so many,” she said.

The Empty Bowls Luncheon will feature 19 different soups, chilies and stews, dessert and bottled water.

Participants may dine in or carry out.

“All servers will wear masks and the tables will be placed at the required social distance,” May said. “While being served, all diners will be asked to wear masks and also while selecting a handmade clay bowl to take home.”

Those how choose take-outs will get their choice of three soups, dessert and bottled water.

Empty Bowls will also feature bid bowls and live entertainment.

May said everyone is encouraged to help make Empty Bowls 2020 the biggest ever because the need is greater than ever.