If Emily Hampton’s theory is correct, Lawrence is a town that really, really loves its pie.

But then again, who doesn’t?

Last year’s first annual Sunrise Project pie auction turned out to be such a sweet success, with approximately $1,300 raised for the local nonprofit, that Sunrise Project director Hampton and her fellow organizers have set their sights on at least doubling that amount at this year’s shindig, slated for 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Hobbs Park, 702 E. 11th St.

The pie auction will, of course, feature plenty of pies — about 30, by Hampton’s count — to be auctioned off by professional auctioneer Phil Detrixhe and the Journal-World’s own Tom Keegan. Selections this year range from savory (macaroni bacon pie, anyone?) to sweet favorites like apple, blueberry and apricot cream tart.

“My parents are making that one,” Hampton said. “It’s pretty fun to see what people come up with.”

All creations are handmade, she noted. While some Sunrise Project fundraisers tend to skew “high-end,” Hampton said, the pie auction is more reflective of the project’s overall philosophy.

Sunrise Project, for those not in the know, aims to connect people with their food, the environment and their community, often working with local schools and neighborhoods to promote healthy lifestyle practices.

Current programs include gardening clubs at New York and Cordley elementary schools, a farm-to-preschool program aimed at child care centers and in-home day care, summertime community service for local youths, and the Lawrence Fruit Tree Project, which includes a community orchard in East Lawrence where anybody can lend a hand or stop by for a piece of ripe fruit.

Saturday’s event (there’s no admission fee) is similarly accessible.

“It’s our mission, because we like the idea that anybody can cook, anybody can participate,” Hampton said. “So, it’s just fun to have homemade pies from anybody in the community. Anybody can give back to Sunrise Project by bringing a pie.”

Or, of course, by purchasing a pie. Whole pies — as well as a few bird, bee and bat houses — will be auctioned off, but those low on cash or appetite can also buy pie by the slice.

Besides pies, participants are encouraged (but not required) to bring a dish for the potluck dinner. Also on the lineup: Yankee Tank Brewing Co. beer, drinks from Repetition Coffee, live music, kids’ activities and lots of friendly conversation.

Hampton hopes to raise around $3,000 from the event, which she said will help cushion Sunset Project’s general funds as the group begins renovations on the old Sunrise Garden Center at 1501 Learned Ave.

A fundraising campaign this spring and summer to raise the second half of renovation costs (approximately $40,000) “didn’t go well,” Hampton told the Journal-World late last month. But she and other Sunrise Project leaders are eager to get started on the improvements, which would include turning the garden center’s old retail building into a classroom, meeting space, community kitchen and offices.

Now in the process of finalizing designs, Hampton expects to begin renovations sometime within the next month. (Securing a building permit from the city is what’s left at this point.)

“Once we move into that site, which we hope to do in the winter, we’ll really be expanding the programming we want to offer to all ages,” Hampton said. “It’s just a little extra support to help us keep going.”