Thirty-eighth Annual Harvest of Talents raises $103,163.19

[October 27, 2021]     On Saturday, October 23, Lincoln Christian Church held its 38th Annual Harvest of Talents for World Hunger. The proceeds from this year announced at Sunday’s services are $103,163.19.

In its first 37 years, the Harvest of Talents raised $2,557,055 with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) to distribute the funds. The total from this year brings that amount up to $2,660,218.

Because last year was held completely online people were happy to be back in person, which was evident by the number of people in attendance. As Harvest Ministry Chairman Carolyn Neal said, “Harvest is more than turning talents into food for the hungry. It’s also about family, friendship, tradition, sharing and hope.”

Due to Covid guidelines this year looked a bit different with everything spread out a bit more.

For instance, all the food was served outdoors and tables for dining were set up under a tent.
 

In the morning, delectable cinnamon rolls, pecan rolls, or breakfast burritos were served. Lunch options included fried potatoes, sweet potato fries, pulled pork sandwiches, sloppy joes, hot dogs or IDES walking tacos. Sodas, bottled water and H.O.T. spiced cider were available to quench thirsts.



For the sweet tooth, the outdoor XO Café offered a variety of treats such as Tony Cannoli, Pizzelles, Macarons, Scones, Lavender Shortbread, and Polish Rugelach. Additional goodies included chocolate chip cookies, granola, and gingersnaps.

Those wanting to warm up could sit around a fire pit. Other outdoor activities included several children’s games.

Inside the church’s Family Room were various handcrafted items and specialty booths that had items such as needlework, vintage linen, repurposed or refurbished items, quilts and jewelry. The “Man Cave” area had handcrafted items for men. Another area offered gifts from mission fields around the world.

The Fireside Room just off to the side had Christmas decorations, gifts and handcrafted Christmas ornaments.

The Fellowship Center held an array of scrumptious goodies, homemade candies, artisan jams and jellies and canned goods.

Various silent auctions throughout the building allowed people to bid on special handcrafted items.



IDES and Harvest Information tables explained more about the work being done to help feed the hungry through events like the Harvest of Talents.

In the sanctuary, people could do a guided prayer, pausing at various stations to rest and pray.



At 2 p.m. auctioneer Mike Maske auctioned off more handcrafted items including quilts, a dollhouse, a bench, end tables, table runners, wreaths and cross stitch.

As always, the quilts brought in some of the largest bids with one going for $1,600.



Carissa Kutz donated one of the quilts this year. Kutz said “knowing the proceeds from the quilt will bring people to Jesus and fill their bellies makes every moment invested in the work worth it.”

Several people from IDES were present at the Harvest and sharing in the day’s activities. When asked how the pandemic has affected the ministry, IDES Executive Director David Stine said, “Internationally and in the United States, there were more hungry people. That meant even more of a focus on combating hunger.”

Stine said, “We helped many churches hard hit by hunger. Many food banks were closed [during the pandemic] and churches filled that gap.” IDES helped them “by providing funds and resources.”

Internationally, there were many places food could not get to market. Stine said, farmers delivering the food were not allowed into communities until they had a covid test. Unfortunately, they had to wait two weeks for the results. By that time Stine said the food was spoiled.
 

IDES has always provided additional resources to those in need. In the past year, that included providing or purchasing Personal Protective Equipment and Oxygen Exchangers to communities that needed it.

Like Stine said, IDES kept up their ministry with modifications. Donors were still faithful, and IDES was still able to meet needs.

When Lincoln was not able to do a traditional Harvest of Talents in 2020, Stine said there was a lot of concern about what would be raised. Fortunately, through online auctions and sales and generous donors, the 2020 Harvest of Talents raised a record breaking amount over $116,000.

Because donors stepped up and were faithful and God was faithful, Stine said the Harvest of Talents “did not miss a beat.”

The Harvest of Talents takes the work of many to make it happen. The ministry team begins planning for the next year almost as soon at one year ends. Neal said, “We are humble and blessed to be a blessing.” She is thankful to all who share time, talents, resources and prayers.

As Kutz said, the entire process is a labor of love from beginning to end including the planning, setting up and tearing down.

With all the money raised, Neal said, “we believe God will multiply this sweet offering beyond what we can imagine.”

This labor of love and the funds raised will help many people receive a nutritious meal in Jesus’ name.

[Angela Reiners]