c.r.o.s.s. readies for spaghetti supper

By Kim Steele

SEYMOUR – Christians Reaching Out Serving Seymour (C.R.O.S.S. Inc.) is sponsoring its Second Annual Spaghetti Supper this month.

The supper, which features eat-in or take-out spaghetti, is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 30, at Seymour Baptist Church. It is located at 11621 Chapman Highway. A bake sale will take place during the event. The organization is seeking volunteers to help serve spaghetti and clean up afterwards.

“All the money we raise goes back into food and electrical bills,” said Charles Duso, president of C.R.O.S.S.

“We’ve put $144,000 back into the community within the past year. It’s been bad here, and people who were writing checks to us last year are needing help from us this year.”

C.R.O.S.S., headquartered at 406 Boyds Creek Highway in Seymour, provides food and financial or medical assistance and other services to people who need help in the community. There are 17 churches in Seymour that sponsor the ministry.

Duso said the supper is one of the organization’s biggest fundraisers of the year. The need for it is great, he added, noting 148 food boxes worth at least $50 each were distributed in January 2008, and 297 were given out in December 2008. Food costs for the boxes doubled from $7,400 to $14,850 during the same time period.

Electricity costs went from $2,500 in January 2008 to $4,002 in December 2008, and water costs rose from $174 to $687 during that time. Duso said he appreciates the variety of donations that come from the community to help those in need.

“I just can’t say enough about the community’s help,” he said. “Everyone has been fantastic. But there’s just a huge need right now.”

Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 6 years and younger. They can be purchased at the door, or in advance from any of the sponsoring congregations. For a list of churches, more information or to volunteer, contact C.R.O.S.S. at 579-6192.