PARADISE – Church members, community members, family and friends gathered together in the little white building next to the little white church to enjoy each other’s company and good food. They also came together for a good cause.

The Paradise/Plains Women’s Circle decided to put on their first Stew Feed in order to raise money for the Plains Food Bank. The event was held at the Paradise UMC Clubhouse next to the Paradise/Plains Methodist Church on Friday, March 14.

The Stew Feed theme dated back to the Great depression era. According to Group President Mary Lou Hermes, the idea came from member Betty Meyers to serve food from a cook book of that time.

“She had a book of recipes from the Great Depression she wanted to try out,” Hermes said. “So we decided to put this on and donate the money to the food bank.”

Stew was of course the staple at the event. In addition, there were homemade rolls with apple butter. Hermes said during the depression people would make apple butter by using the peelings. Jell-O was another item on the menu and depression era cakes for dessert.

The desire to assist the food bank came from concern regarding recent changes in government funding.

“We have been worried for the food bank because earlier in the year Congress cut that extended benefit for unemployed people. Many of them depend on food stamps and the food banks have had big runs on them,” Hermes said.

To raise money for the food bank, the women’s group charged $5 a plate for adults and $2 for kids. Hermes said many attendees were very generous with additional donations.

“The Lutherans have turned out in force and have been very generous with gifting,” Hermes said.

The Women’s Circle formed out of the church has been around for more years than Hermes can remember. The members have continued to gather whether the times were good or bad.

“The Women’s Circle has been in existence forever,” Hermes said. “In its history, when the church was completely broke and could not afford a minister, the women would still meet.”

In addition to various fundraisers, the Women’s Circle participates in other services for the community.

The Women’s Circle is involved with assisting some of the local students who find they need a little extra help.

“We have adopted a special class at school for the kids that need more attention. We give them school supplies and Christmas baskets,” Hermes said. “It is always more fun to do something for someone else.”

The group truly enjoys helping others and doing what they can to serve the community. In many ways, they have been the glue that has kept the church together.

“We have a wonderful little church family here,” Hermes said. “I love them because our theologies might vary but we all still love each other. We always welcome anyone.”

The Women’s Circle Stew Feed raised $360 and all of the money will be donated to the Plains Food Bank.

Hermes is very pleased with the number of people that showed up and the end result.

“We were saying in church today that we should really do things like this more often and maybe we will,” Hermes said.