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Potluck to raise money for ministry

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By Samantha Sommer, Staff Writer 5:23 PM Thursday, October 8, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Urban Light Ministries hopes that an upcoming fundraiser will fill both bellies and coffers.

The ministry is hosting a potluck fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Greater Grace Temple, 380 W. Leffel Lane. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event starts at 6 p.m.

Rudy’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que will provide the meat and Dole will provide vegetables for salads.

People are asked to bring a covered dish in a disposable container and $10.

To ensure a variety of dishes, those with last names from A to G are asked to bring a vegetable. Last names starting with H to N should bring a beverage and with O to Z should bring a dessert.

If someone can’t attend the dinner, they still can donate to Urban Light online at www.urbanlight.org or call (937) 328-0122.

Urban Light wants to raise $3,000 from the event, the Rev. Eli Williams said.

The money will support its children’s programs, such as the after-school Sonshine Club, its services for the poor such as free community meals and its work promoting fatherhood.

As the economy slide, the ministry has seen its funding slashed. The state has cut its funding for Urban Light’s fatherhood programs by at least 55 percent, Williams said, and other funders have decreased support for other programs by about 40 percent.

Urban Light now only offers its food pantry on a limited, emergency basis and stopped running its SALT Club at Hayward Middle School.

“In this current economic climate, we have been struggling financially just to continue the same level of programming with reduced funds from just about every source,” Williams said.

He also wants the potluck, which is open to everyone, to be a fun family event.

“It should be a wonderful time enjoying different dishes and great fellowship,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0363 or ssommer@coxohio.com.

If You Go

What: Urban Light Ministries Potluck Fundraiser

When: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22, event starts at 6 p.m.

Where: Greater Grace Temple, 380 W. Leffel Lane

Contact: For more information or to donate, visit www.urbanlight.org or call (937) 328-0122.

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