Chili lunch aids efforts to help City Outreach

The community's response to City Outreach Ministry's needs has been good, said pastor Scott Horn, and he hopes it gets better.

"We need all the help we can get," he said.

The assistance keeps coming, too. Sheri and Keith Heflin of World of Games are sponsoring a chili lunch on the square Saturday, with Chris White doing the cooking, all to help bring in donations of food, toys and money for the ministry.

"And there'll be a Christmas craft bazaar, too," said Horn. "I don't know how many vendors, but there will be lots of food, music and shopping, and a silent auction."

There also won't be a charge for the meal.

"The chili is free," said Horn. "But they'll be taking up donations. Canned food, money ... anything is helpful."

The bazaar runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the chili lunch begins at 11 a.m.

Toys and canned goods can also earn discounts at some of the vendor booths.

Other businesses have also been very helpful for the ministry, which is trying to raise money, not only for its annual Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 21, but for Christmas. The Thanksgiving gathering is crucial in relation to the Christmas toy give-away.

"They have to come to the Thanksgiving dinner to sign up for Christmas," he said. "Anybody that needs help with Christmas needs to come sign up if they haven't signed up somewhere else, that's the only time we're taking names."

He said he hopes to have some turkeys donated to hand out at both the Thanksgiving and Christmas events.

Last Sunday, Domino's had a special sales day for City Outreach, giving the ministry $1 for every pizza sold.

"They sold 302 pizzas," said Horn. "They brought us $325 -- some people just came in and left donations. It will buy some bicycles."

Great Clips, the hair salon near Walmart, is also helping, donating $2 from every haircut, others have brought in food or cash donations and schools have helped with canned food drives.

With the unemployment much higher this year than last, the need is also greater, said Horn, and more is needed.

"We've had individuals bring canned food in, and that's a blessing," he said. "But as far as money, we've gotten very little money. But I know God's going to take care of it and it's all going to come together but we do need money."

Anyone interested in donating, volunteering, or just in need of more information can call 680-9660 to reach the ministry store.

"I know people get tired of talking to a machine,' said Horn. "This will be a real person."