An imaginary excursion to the islands is in store when Loaves and Fishes Community Soup Kitchen presents its fourth annual Festival of Flavors June 2 at Lion Hills Center in Columbus. Polynesian Paradise is the theme of this year’s event to benefit continued ecumenical efforts to feed the hungry of Columbus and Lowndes County.
“We thought wouldn’t it be nice to be on an island somewhere, and it just grew from there,” said Cindy Wiygul, who cochairs the function with Ann Sparkman. “We try to have a different theme every year.”
Cuisine is at the center of a Festival of Flavors. Committee volunteer and food coordinator Becky Watson, Lion Hills’ Chef Matt Molina and the facility staff have designed a menu to reflect the tropical theme. A fruit volcano and “Tiki man” of watermelon will be served, along with coconut shrimp, crab-stuffed appetizers, mahi mahi ceviche and much more. Floral arrangements and decorations will carry out the Polynesian motif.
“This our only fundraiser. It helps cover operating expenses for the year,” said Wiygul, who is a regular soup kitchen volunteer with Shaeffer’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Watson volunteers with Wesley United Methodist Church.
About 22 Lowndes County churches and organizations are involved in providing meals every weekday, with the exception of every Tuesday, explained event cochair Ann Sparkman, who also serves as Loaves and Fishes’ house chair. Meals are provided on second Tuesdays.
“We are looking for groups to fill the other Tuesdays,” said Sparkman, who attends St Paul’s Episcopal Church. “They can serve soup, or a full meal or sack lunch, depending on their budget.”
The soup kitchen served more than 26,000 meals in 2016, Sparkman said.
Loaves and Fishes offers more than simply food, Wiygul noted. It also provides a point of human connection for some people who have very few.
Watson said, “It’s a great mission for the city of Columbus; there’s a great need for it, something that needs to be met by a community.”
Auction, tickets
Guests will enjoy live music and be able to take part in a raffle and silent auction. Auction items include a char-broil oil-less fryer, oriental rugs and a special piece of artwork by Elayne Goodman.
Tickets are $40 ($25 tax-deductible), available at Military Hardware, Helping Hands and many Columbus churches including St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and First United Methodist Church. Some tickets will be available at the door, said Watson.
For more information, email [email protected].
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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