Boone First United Methodist

Boone First United Methodist

Boone First United Methodist

Hot Beef and Coleslaw served with mashed potatoes.

Small town values with a warm heart can be found here. This is a church known for helping the community and donating time to improve the lives of others. Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors is their motto. They didn’t even think twice about serving for Ragbrai riders because this is who they are.

Hot Beef with mashed potatoes and coleslaw served with either lemonade or ice tea sounded great to a number of riders. They kept busy thought the night. The top selling pies were the raspberry and then the pumpkin pie. 70 pies were donated by the congregation for the dinner. More than 15 different types of dessert were spread along the table. Blueberry, peach, pecan, strawberry, raspberry, raspberry apple, mulberry, coconut cream, raisin, apple, key-lime, and pumpkin pies.

And how much does it take to feed 350 people or more; a total of 200 pounds of beef, 450 boxes of potatoes, 12 gallons of coleslaw, 25 gallons of lemonade, 15 gallons of ice tea, 160 bags of ice and 70 volunteers. Char Welcome stated what we don’t sell will be donated to Meals for the Heartland. The money raised from this dinner will help to replace the church’s roof and the extra money will be given to Stork’s Nest. “Radical Hospitality” is another of their mottoes

There was so much love in this church from the person yelling on the church steps “Hot Beef w/mash potatoes, many types of pie for only $6 , air conditioning” to the young kid taking your money, to the volunteers serving you, to the Rev Andrea Kraushaar walking around greeting and talking with the guests.

Guests came from all over the world to eat here. Some from their own town and one couple was from Great Britain. And the reason some picked this church over the other churches was location or menu. Too many spaghetti or lasagna dinners at churches and they are looking for something different. Location is a big deal too. They don’t want to walk blocks and blocks to try to find something. Many look for the church steeples or listen for the bells. 60% of riders will eat at a church dinner during Ragbrai. That is a lot of meals and a lot of money that is given back to churches and the community. A lot of the riders say this is one of the reasons why they choose a church rather then one of the street vendors. Being a part of giving back to the community that shows you so much love.