wfn.org | State Fair Cafeteria Raises Mission Money

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org (United Methodist News list)]

Reply-to: owner-umethnews@ecunet.org (United Methodist News list)
"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (300
notes).

Note 299 by UMNS on Sept. 4, 1997 at 15:31 Eastern (4836 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Ralph E. Baker                          487(10-71B){299}
          Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470            Sept. 4, 1997

EDITORS NOTE: Photos available from the author.

Kansas State Fair cafeteria helps
United Methodists raise money for missions

by Kathy Kruger Noble*

     In 29 years of ordained ministry, the Rev. Tom Sheldon has
"been in churches that did lots of cooking and had lots of
projects. That's not unusual for United Methodists," he said.
     When he became pastor of South Hutchinson (Kan.) United
Methodist church in 1993, however, he discovered something "above
and beyond anything in a local church I'd ever heard of."
     The "South Hutchinson United Methodist Cafeteria" is an
institution at the Kansas State Fair. 
     When the greeter opens the door to the dining room on Sept.
5, it will mark the 50th year members of the congregation have
provided "Fine Food-Fellowship-Service" to hungry fair workers and
visitors.
     Opening about 6 a.m. and closing about 10 p.m. each day
between Sept. 5 and 14, workers will serve about 80 customers
every 20 minutes. Twenty-two people will work each of the four
shifts. Another 20 will be at the church making pies that will be
transported to the fairgrounds in specially designed
carriers.
     Drawn by the 2,300 homemade pies -- including the favorite
sour cream raisin -- and homestyle chicken and noodles, roast beef
and country ham, thousands of fairgoers and workers will eat at
least one meal in the small building on the fairgrounds' main
street. 
     Kansas Governor Bill Graves is scheduled to make a
presentation to the cafeteria workers on Sept. 11.
     Among the diners might be the dairy farmer who said, "I've
been coming here 37 years, and for 37 years I've eaten three meals
a day here."
     Parents of teens on band day give them money and turn them
loose on the fairgrounds "as long as they will come here to eat,"
said Farrol Brown, cafeteria chairman.
     Fairgrounds workers are among the most faithful customers,
and the only ones allowed to avoid the line, which will stretch
out the front door almost continuously during the 10-days. Usually
on a short break, the workers can come to the back door and
pick up their food in a carry-out container.
     Pete is one of the most memorable "carny" customers Brown and
other volunteers remember. Coming to the cafeteria three or four
times a day, Brown said, he "would buy food for his carnies and
carry it to them." 
     "And Pete never took change," said Erwin Leeper, a long-time
church member and cafeteria volunteer.
     Cafeteria workers eventually made Pete an honorary member of
their church.
     Also drawing customers is the friendly atmosphere. "Here the
volunteers are willing to stop and visit," Brown
noted. 
     Brown's favorite jobs are carrying trays for customers and
cleaning tables because "you can talk to almost anybody you want
to. We offer fellowship, good quantity and a good price," he said.
"We try to keep it reasonable and give plenty to eat." 
     The United Methodist cross and flame on the front of the
building, photos on the walls showing how the proceeds are used
and prayer cards on each table remind customers that the 
place where they are eating has a mission beyond making a profit.
     The cafeteria is also the site for a 9:30 a.m. worship
service both Sundays of the fair.
     "To see people doing jobs that most don't normally do whether
that is cleaning ovens, bussing tables or slinging noodles
emphasizes the spirit of cooperation in the church," Sheldon said.
inclusive activity."
     South Hutchinson members started the cafeteria in 1947 to
raise money to build a church.
     Recalling the beginning, volunteer Jane Hildebrandt said, "A
tornado went through and tore the old church up, so everybody got
busy and started up the cafeteria."
     The first meals were served in a tent located near the
present site. After several years, the "men got together and put a
roof over this," Brown said. Improvements have been made steadily
since. Among the more recent are air conditioning -- welcomed by
the kitchen crew where temperatures can climb to 110 degrees --
fluorescent lighting, ceiling fans and a permanent dishwasher.
     In 1996, the South Hutchinson United Methodists netted about
$20,000 from the cafeteria. This year's proceeds will help support
work camps and other mission projects, keep the church van
operating and be used for projects at the church.
                              #  #  #

     * Noble is associate director for communications, Kansas West
United Methodist Annual Conference.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 To make suggestions or give your comments, send a note to 
 umns@ecunet.org or Susan_Peek@ecunet.org

 To unsubscribe, send the single word "unsubscribe" (no quotes)
 in a mail message to umethnews-request@ecunet.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------