Lots and lots of pumpkins
Published 7:50 pm Saturday, October 1, 2016
- London Karnuth is all smiles at Faith Lutheran Church’s pumpkin stand. The sale is a fundraiser for the church’s community and internal programs.
Faith Lutheran Church, located off of Bridge Road, has a yard full of pumpkins this month in support of its annual fundraising pumpkin sale.
Now in its eighth year, the event promises to be the largest to date.
“It has grown every year,” church member Mary Ann Karnuth said.
The stand was put in place to raise funds for community and church programs.
Among the programs it supports are ForKids, Micah’s Backpack, the church’s youth group and Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center.
ForKids and Micah’s Backpack primarily benefit families living in poverty and low-income families.
ForKids gives shelter to families in need as they work toward self-sufficiency. The program also provides educational services, clinical counseling, employment counseling and much more.
Micah’s Backpack, an initiative started a few years ago by the church, provides food on the weekends for elementary school children from low-income families. The program has helped at several local schools, and this year’s services will be focused at Creekside Elementary School.
“We are really proud of this project,” Karnuth said.
Proceeds will also go toward the church’s youth programs, such as community service events, mission trips and lock-ins.
Finally, the retreat center will receive a portion of the proceeds. The center has hosted a variety of church camp retreats for ages 5 through 25.
The majority of the pumpkins sold are grown in Virginia. They are expected to be available until Halloween. So far, the sale has raised just under $1,000, according to Karnuth.
Bob Bowling, the church’s property team leader, who helped unload the pumpkin trucks, said the sale has attracted several passerby commuters over the years.
“A lot of people see our sign and swing on by,” Bowling said. “They say we have reasonable prices.”