BUCKHANNON – Everyone needs a break from preparing dinner every once in a while, so why not take that much-deserved break from cooking while helping neighbors in need by supporting the First United Methodist Church’s Spaghetti Dinner to benefit Crosslines?

This delicious dinner will take place from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 at the First United Methodist Church located at 52 S. Florida St., and takeouts will be available as well as sit-down meals. They will even be offering a gluten-free option, and meals are $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 2 to 12 and free for kids under 2 years old.

The meal features spaghetti and meat sauce, a salad, bread, a drink and your choice of a delicious homemade dessert.

My Buckhannon reached out to Tena Shannon, one of the organizers of this fundraiser, who said the fundraising events are starting back up now that COVID-19 has slowed down a bit.

“It is time to get back to normal and raise some funds for Crosslines,” said Shannon, adding that most of the volunteer help comes from the FUMC congregation. “If there are others who would like to volunteer to help out, they can contact the church.”

Shannon said advance ticket sales are not necessary, and those wanting to attend can just come to the door that night to either get takeout or sit-down meals of their famous spaghetti and meat sauce.

“We will also have jars and baskets out if those attending the dinner would like to make extra donations to Crosslines,” Shannon said. “We hope folks will come out and have a wonderful meal and help support Crosslines in their ministry. Those who cannot attend the dinner may support Crosslines by sending donations to the Parish House and make a notation that the donation is in support of Crosslines.”

In the past when the FUMC has coordinated this fundraiser for Crosslines, Shannon said the turnout is significant.

“The last time we had one of these fundraisers, we began with 28 pounds of spaghetti and ended having to go get more spaghetti,” Shannon said.

Kristi Wilkerson is the executive director of the Upshur Parish House and Crosslines. She said prior to COVID, several area churches and groups would sponsor fundraisers to benefit Crosslines.

“First United Methodist Church is one of those groups,” Wilkerson said. “Every fall, they have had a spaghetti dinner to benefit Crosslines. Those funds are used to help neighbors in need for items such as utility bill assistance, rental assistance – anything that is financial that we can help them with.”

Wilkerson said meeting those needs, especially during this time of the year, is crucial.

“Often as we are starting to do heating again, the bills go up,” Wilkerson said. “This really helps prevent terminations and shutoffs for heat in homes when neighbors really need that. Crosslines is the major program we have that supports rent and utilities, or sometimes medical expenses depending on what the need is.”

She is really appreciative of all the support given by different partners in the Upshur County community.

“We have been much busier in the last two months helping neighbors in need than we have been in quite a while,” Wilkerson said. “Great need continues in the community, and we have been using our funds from Crosslines. This fundraiser will help replenish those funds and help us ensure we can continue to help our neighbors in need.”

Also, Wilkerson reminded neighbors in need that the Parish House food bank is open on Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m.

“People can come in and pick up food boxes during that time,” Wilkerson said.

Each holiday, the Parish House provides approximately 700 Thanksgiving Food Boxes and between 600 and 650 Christmas Food Boxes.

Additional information about Crosslines and the Parish House is available by calling 304-472-0743 or by following their Facebook page. The Parish House is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.