CASSIE HALL students get a monthly treat from people they may not even know.
For the last four years, Terrace Alliance Church has been baking cookies for the students each month, which started when children’s ministry pastor Jan Gray asked the school how the church could help with any of the school’s needs, said church member Keri Pearson.
Church members wanted to bless their community and this is one way to do that, she said.
“Not only did we start baking cookies, we also have had opportunities to gather winter coats and clothing for the kids, extra school supplies, backpacks, bless the teachers with a luncheon and just come alongside and help where needed,” she said.
After spending about a year asking for volunteers to help bake about four dozen cookies each and bring them in, it was decided to bake the cookies at the church kitchen, which has five ovens.
It became “a much easier way and a great excuse to gather together and fellowship with one another,” said Pearson.
About 20 to 26 dozen cookies are made during the school year, depending on the number of children and teachers in the school.
“We try to make them more wholesome than the average store-bought cookie by reducing the sugar and fat, using whole wheat and rolled oats and even adding ground flax to some recipes,” said Pearson.
And after two-and-a-half to three hours, cookies are ready for taste testing.
“Anyone from the young to the young at heart can be involved,” she said.
“Often you will find my youngest and a friend helping out especially when it comes to taste testing: what better way to have approval than from a child.”
Church members bake a variety of cookies, including special ones for holidays, such as pumpkin shaped cookies at Halloween and ginger spice cookies around Christmas.
“It’s such a simple, yet very rewarding, couple of hours spent each month to serve those around us,” said Pearson.
“Not only that, but a morning to fellowship and hang out with a great bunch of ladies. The best gift of all was last year when a teacher had her class write thank-you notes to us and hand delivered them.
“It brought tears to my eyes reading how much it meant to the students and asking for us to please continue baking again this year.”
Other churches or organizations are encouraged to “spread the love” and find out what the needs are of the schools close to them and to help out where possible.