United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon a Success

September 19th, 2011

I extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who lent their support to the United Way?s first ever Stone Soup Too Luncheon held recently at the Sandy Creek United Methodist Church. From the large amount of people who attended, to the many businesses and organizations that helped make the event possible, our Stone Soup Too Luncheon was a perfect example of the United Way?s ?Live United? concept as the community came together to show their support for the United Way and help our area food pantries and soup kitchen. Our luncheon raised $1057.00, which will be used to support the Pulaski Community Ministries Food Pantry, the Sandy Creek / Lacona Community Cupboard, the Richland / Rural & Migrant Ministries Food Pantry, and the Lacona / North Country Christian Church Soup Kitchen.

Special thanks to Eddy?s Place Restaurant, The River House Restaurant, Rainbow Shores Restaurant, and the Sandy Pond Steak House for donating soups, as well as Artie?s J & R Diner, Al?s Corner Market, C?s Farm Market in Oswego, Nice n Easy in Pulaski, Ostrander?s Village Market, TC Brewsters, Walmart in Central Square, Sandy Creek Big M, Top?s Market, and the Sandy Creek Grange who also donated food and other items for our luncheon. I also extend a sincere thank you to Brenda?s Place, Sage Creek Orchards, and Arlene Yoder for donating food for the pantries; Trust Nursery, Hemlock Haven, Designs of Elegance, and Community Bank for donating door prizes, Cazenovia Equipment Co. and William J. Buckley DDS for helping to sponsor the event and of course the community members that attended the luncheon and contributed to our food drive.

Our Stone Soup Luncheon would not have been possible if not for the efforts of our committee members; Oswego County Opportunities? Director of Senior Nutrition, Amy Roland, Peggy Manchester of the Sandy Creek / Lacona Food Pantry; Pat Rossman, Penny Kimball of Rural and Migrant Ministries of Oswego County; Helen Hoefer, director of Emergency Services at Catholic Charities of Oswego County; Brian Leary of Lakeshore Hardwoods; and Kathy Crandall of Community Bank, and our valued community volunteers: Selena Belser, Shirley Rice, Pat Rossman, Sue Bitz, Bonnie Dence, Paulette Lindsey, Frank Manchester, members of the Sandy Creek Grange, celebrity servers, Wayne and Pat McDougal, Sandy Creek Cheerleaders, Clarice, Sammi, Lexi, Mikayla and Chelsea, and Pat Rossman who also created floral centerpieces of pumpkins, seasonal flowers, and vegetable greens.

Their desire to support the United Way of Greater Oswego County is a wonderful expression of their dedication to their community, their concern for others and their willingness to ?Live United.? Thanks to the support we received from community members who attended our Stone Soup Luncheon raised more than $1000 for food pantries and soup kitchen in northern Oswego County.

Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Lois Luber
Resource Development Director
United Way of Greater Oswego County