PHOTO BY JOHN RYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
ELECTION DAY MEALS … Members of the Northwest Community Auxiliary gather for a photo as they host their annual Election Day Meals held at the Northwest Community Building in Cooney on Tuesday, November 4. From left are Karen Humphrey, Diane Kellogg, De-Linda Wanemacher, Katie Winebrenner, Gabby Siebenaler, Susan Craven, Caryl Schaffter, and Pat Davenport.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
It has been a longstanding Election Day tradition for the Northwest Community Auxiliary to serve meals throughout the day.
Since 2009, the Northwest Community Auxiliary has been involved in providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for area residents on a free-will donation basis.
“We have done this for several years,” said auxiliary member Karen Humphrey. “The community just supports us to no end. The Northwest Township fire department also jumps in wherever we need them.”
This year’s day-long event took place on Tuesday, November 4, at the Northwest Community Building, which was formerly known as the Cooney School.
Humphrey said it takes about six months to plan and prepare for the Election Day meals. All of the food items are donated for it.
“We start two weeks ahead, getting a few items such as meat that have been donated,” said Humphrey. We go ahead and fry it up and put it in the freezer to have.”
There were eight auxiliary members who helped out with the meals, including Humphrey, Katie Winebrenner, De-Linda Wanemacher, Caryl Schaffter, Diane Kellogg, Pat Davenport, Gabby Siebenaler, and Susan Craven.
“We get so much support from the fire department, the community,” said Humphrey. “We also have funeral dinners, and it’s the same thing. If someone lets us know, say they are fighting cancer, we usually help them out by writing them a check for gas and provide gift cards to get food.”
Humphrey also noted the importance of the auxiliary, especially with fire runs; the fire department would contact them, and they would provide food and drink for the firemen.
Proceeds from the Election Day meals go towards helping Northwest Township out in various ways.
“It comes to the auxiliary and then we use it whenever we need to in the community,” said Humphrey.
In addition to the Election Day meals, the auxiliary also holds a bake sale when the Northwest Township Fire Department hosts their annual breakfast in July.
This year’s Election Day menu started with breakfast being served from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., featuring sausage gravy and biscuits, hash browns, and egg casseroles.
The lunchtime menu served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. included chili, ham and bean soup, potato soup, ham and cheese sandwiches, potato chips, cookies, and cakes.
Dinner was then served from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The menu featured chicken and homemade noodles, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, salad bar, pies, cakes, and cookies.
“We all love it,” pointed out Humphrey. “If we didn’t love it, we wouldn’t be doing it. We’ve drawn people throughout the area, including Alvordton and Bryan.”
“They come for the meal even though they don’t vote here. People are so giving, and we’re very lucky for hosting Election Day meals in Northwest Township.”