United Methodist women prepare for annual potato luncheon

By AMANDA KIMBLE
TheFlashToday.com

STEPHENVILLE (March 14, 2017) – It’s all about hundreds of children.

For about 30 years, United Methodist Women (UMW) of First United Methodist Church Stephenville have held a baked potato luncheon, raising funds for various missions. More recently, proceeds have been used to purchase school supplies for Stephenville ISD children in need.

This year, the annual potato luncheon is set for Tuesday, March 28, featuring a loaded baked potato, veggies, bread and a homemade dessert for $10 per plate.

“A special emphasis of United Methodist Women is children,” Laurie Lively, organizer, said. “If children are raised with safety, security, food, shelter, education and basic human rights, these children will grow to be loving and secure adults. United Methodist Women believe deeply in responding to Jesus’ mandate to ‘care for the least of these.’”

Decades after the first luncheon, the menu hasn’t changed and the venue remains the same, but the serving line at the luncheon and annual school supply distribution have both grown.

About 900 potatoes are cooked up for community members in an effort to ensure all of the school district’s students start the following school year with the supplies needed to succeed.

“The mission project for obtaining school supplies for the children of SISD has grown into a larger community effort,” she said. “The potato lunch raises money specifically and only for the Stephenville School Supply Project.”

In 2016, SSSP served an estimated 1,000 students. Organizers say the cost for supplies for each child served is about $20, or two potato luncheons per each needy student.

Lively said as the needs of local school children continue to grow, so does the network of volunteers and organizations support SSSP. She said UMW hosts the event, but rely on many FUMC members and students of The Wesley Center, as well as local businesses such as Hard Eight BBQ, Schreiber Foods, Mayfield Paper Company, Signs Express Plus, Little John’s Produce and HEB, who donate time, goods and services.

Participants in Worship on Wednesday at First United Methodist Church Stephenville invite community members to the United Methodist Women Annual Baked Potato Lunch on Tuesday, March 28. || Laurie Lively photo

Other churches, organizations and supporters also participate in SSSP, holding special collection events to add to the school supply fund. Last year, First Presbyterian Church contributed 26 cases of markers and spiral notebooks.

School supplies will be handed out to Stephenville students the first week of August, and SSSP will call on other community volunteers to assist with the distribution.

More than 20 community members gathered prior to the 2016 distribution to sort supplies and get them prepared for pick up.

But, it all begins with potatoes. Download the attached order form or pick up a copy at the FUMC for delivery and pick up orders. Order forms are available at the church office by calling 254-965-5046 and must be received at the church office by noon on Monday, March 27.

Diners can enjoy their meal at FUMC Fellowship Hall.

For more information, call the church at 254-965-5046 or finance@fumcstephenville.org.