Ready Spaghetti: Homemade meal ministry nourishes a community
Since April 2016, Ready Spaghetti, an outreach fundraiser for the First Church of God in New Philadelphia, has been the answer to providing a quick homemade dinner for families on the second Tuesday of each month. The project was created by Cheryl Eick and Pat Wells, both of New Philadelphia. We kept feeling that there was something God wanted us to do, said Wells, adding that Eick had attended another church in the past that had a similar event as a fundraiser. We decided to have Ready Spaghetti. The volunteers meet monthly to sell homemade meals of spaghetti and meatballs packaged to go and meatball subs. If there is any food left over, they show their appreciation by taking meals to the police and fire station and donating food to the Friends of the Homeless shelter. We want Ready Spaghetti to be an asset to the community, Wells said. The money they earn is split between the churchs outreach ministry and putting the money back into updating the church kitchen and purchasing Ready Spaghetti supplies. For the outreach ministry this past September we held a Back to Church event and had a bouncy house and dunk tank for the kids, Wells said. The volunteers cooking up Ready Spaghetti start by mixing up the sauce the day before. On Tuesday morning we go in early before morning Bible study and begin cooking the sauce so it cooks all day, Wells said.Then around 1 or 2 p.m. the group starts making the rest of the food. Sometimes were concerned we wont have enough help, but God always provides, Wells said. New volunteers are welcome. We wouldnt turn them down. Ready Spaghetti is pick-up only, but you can get your food the way you want it. The spaghetti comes hot or cold if you plan to eat it later, Wells said. The meatball subs have cheese on the bottom and on the top. The meals are served from 3-7 p.m. A large spaghetti dinner with marinara sauce and four meatballs serves four and is available for $10. The small dinner with marinara sauce and two meatballs is $5.50. Spaghetti with meat sauce is $8.50 for a large and $4.50 for a small order. Meatball subs are $5.50. Extra meatballs are available for 75 cents. For five or more orders call the church. They will have it ready when you arrive. The next Ready Spaghetti is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13. We debated if we should have it in December, but then we thought people would be out shopping and may not want to cook, Wells said. They can stop and take a homemade meal home with them. New for 2017 in January, February and March only will be the addition of homemade chicken noodle soup to the regular menu. The church is located at 824 Tuscarawas Ave. in New Philadelphia. To volunteer or to place a large order, call the church at 330-343-3501.
