“It made me feel human again,” was just one of many comments of appreciation given by those who ate the lasagna dinner served during RAGBRAI’s overnight stay in Chariton on Wednesday, July 22.
In a period of just under two hours, volunteers from Sacred Heart Catholic Church served 676 lasagna dinners to hungry RAGBRAI riders and participants. Considering the goal was to serve 600 meals, the event was considered a tremendous success. It is impossible to credit any one individual or any one committee for the success of the dinner. Everyone who volunteered in some way contributed to the overall success of the day and appreciation goes to all who may have done any of the following:
Prayed;
Baked pies, cookies, and rolls;
Cut and served the pies and cookies;
Baked lasagna, and filled and monitored roasters and ovens;
Sold tickets;
Made, assembled, and installed signage to draw riders to our meal site;
Displayed information in parish center to call back our fallen away Catholics;
Spent time in the Church explaining our faith to those who entered;
Loaned roasters;
Donated to offset the cost of purchasing the lasagna;
Set up tables and chairs and helped put away tables and chairs;
Cleaned parish center and basement kitchen prior to dinner;
Served food and drinks;
Spoke words of encouragement;
Cleaned tables, trays, and emptied trash;
Monitored bathrooms for toilet paper and paper towels;
Washed dishes and helped clean up;
Made runs to the store for additional supplies; and
Fed lunch to volunteers in parish center the day of the dinner.
A few highlights of the day
We passed the Department of Health inspection.
We quickly recovered from the loss of electrical power due to the quick response of Chuck Donnelly.
A young man in his early 20’s ventured into the parish center at mid-day to say he was lost. The fact that he chose our door to enter for help was a blessing to us all. We were able to feed him, find him a charger for his phone, and he ultimately was re-united with his travel group.
Sacred Heart parishioners generously offered to launder the clothes of people they had never met because they saw a need, as well as provide a much needed place to shower.
And finally, we greatly appreciated the special Mass that Father Pisut provided for RAGBRAI riders and parishioners as well as his patient guidance throughout the day.
Click on this link for more pictures: RAGBRAI
