Lents ‘Harvest Fest’ continues its success

Take a look at this fun event, sponsored once again by this community-minded church …

Dozens of neighbors, as well as homeless folks, flock to the Pilgrim Lutheran Church’s Harvest Festival.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

This pre-Hallowe’en event may not been of the size and magnitude as the one held at the East Portland Community Center that same evening [see separate story], but nonetheless many came to volunteer – and to enjoy – the “Harvest Festival” put on by Pilgrim Lutheran Church the evening of October 24.

In the Pilgrim Community Room, guests were enjoying crafts, bingo – and a hot supper.

One of the Harvest Festival’s organizers, Nancy Tingley, serves up a chili dinner.

“This is our 12th annual Harvest Festival,” commented event organizer Nancy Tingley.

“This year, we were wondering if we had enough volunteers to hold this, because a lot of our regular folks are not here,” Tingley told East Portland News. “But, when we decided to do it, and all of a sudden, many volunteers showed up to help!”

Volunteers Carolyn Tubbs and Sherry Tubbs dish up chili dinners.

The ten volunteers were cooking and serving a chili dinner, with freshly-baked corn bread and fruit juice beverages – as well as helping with crafts, and hosting table games.

“Holding community gatherings like these are important to us,” Tingley said, “because it’s a way that we reach out to the community, and be a good community partner.

“We also provide dinner every Wednesday night for the community,” Tingley added. “We feed a lot of homeless people. A lot of them come; and they are all hungry. Afterward we hold a candlelight service; and our guests stay if they want to.”

Kids crafts are part of the fun guests are having at the Pilgrim Harvest Festival.

Their guests, both at the Harvest Festival and for the weekly dinners, are provided for, because “This is about community, not about preaching at people,” Tingley commented.

Anyone from the community can volunteer on Wednesday evenings – or provide food or ingredients – and feel welcome. “On Tuesday night, we invite people from the community to learn how to sew and craft.”

Volunteer Gary Primack calls Bingo numbers at the Pilgrim Harvest Festival.

Learn more by visiting the official Pilgrim Community website: CLICK HERE.

On our Front Page: Pilgrim Harvest Festival volunteer Ricky Jamtgaard shows off a “creepy hands” craft.

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