What happened to church suppers?

They are alive and well in my area, but not just on the weekend.
Sister-in-law's church has a roast beef dinner every month.
The church down the street had a spaghetti dinner every Monday.
My current church has dinners every Wednesday.... menu varies every week.
My old church has theirs the last Friday of the month.
and there are many, many more.
 

Used to go to those with family when I was kid. Good times.
There were the "Is this tuna casserole, or is it a science experiment?" moments.
And always the "Who brought the Jell-O?" dilemma.
It was always there, always the same shade of neon, and no one ever knew if it was dessert or what.
My dad accidentally dropped a spoon in a green bean casserole once, it wasn't coming back. It was gone.
 
debodun said:
My mom passed in 2006. Back then an adult admission was in the $10 - $12 range.
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I don't know of any church where I live charging admission to go to a dinner.
One Baptist church had a dinner for seniors on the first Thursday of each month. Any senior could go, whether or not they went to any church. Those dinners stopped when covid started. I've been told the church would support restarting them, but the prior staff was on a volunteer basis, and it appears they do not have the needed volunteers
The Methodist church still has dinners every Wednesday and there is no charge.
The Baptist church had a donation jar, but there was no requirement or pressure to donate.
 
We called them "pitch-in dinners" and they were held maybe 4 times a year. Very popular at my church.

Everyone (well, every lady) brought what she was "famous" for, so you got the best fried chicken, the best chicken & dumplings, the best chocolate cake, the best.......

Unfortunately, you also got Mrs. Jones' "mystery casserole" and Mrs. Brown's strange-looking Jello mold, but you knew what to avoid and what to line up early for before it was all gone.

Our neighbors always came but would only eat what they brought because the wife "didn't know...sniff...what kind of kitchen...sniff...the other food was cooked in...sniff". The other women looked on that as a sort of insult, which is exactly what it was.
 
That Lady in PA said:
They are alive and well in my area, but not just on the weekend.
Sister-in-law's church has a roast beef dinner every month.
The church down the street had a spaghetti dinner every Monday.
My current church has dinners every Wednesday.... menu varies every week.
My old church has theirs the last Friday of the month.
and there are many, many more.
Click to expand...
what a heartening report to hear - hail and hallelujah!
 
When I was a young teen in prehistoric times, our town Methodist church had them all the time especially in the good weather. I always volunteered with the ladies to help serve, set tables and clean up till I was 16. Then my folks moved us to the Chicago area and it ended. Now, these decades later, the church hasn't had a pastor in forever.
 
well that small post cut to the 'quick' - used to be in the "Boys Brigade" UK and this seemed to be associated with the Methodist church - so as good BB boys we joined in BB training and activities but also were required to attend sunday morning services ; beautiful church in a small country village which was eventually turned into flats [the church not the village?] - I wept but what can you do if all stop attending church?? We even met 'new' girlfriends through the whole process!
 
We still have a few that have become institutions in this area.

IMO most people would rather make a donation to an organization than contribute all of the work and time involved for what can be a very uncertain return.

It’s the same with bake sales, time is more valuable than money for most folks.

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MACKTEXAS said:
but the prior staff was on a volunteer basis, and it appears they do not have the needed volunteers
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Covid gave folks an excuse to no longer participate. Groups became smaller or even disappeared.

Aunt Bea said:
IMO most people would rather make a donation to an organization than contribute all of the work and time involved for what can be a very uncertain return.

It’s the same with bake sales, time is more valuable than money for most folks.
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This. I’d rather give money than waste my time and have it cost more than a fundraiser would bring in.
 
That Lady in PA said:
Some charge, as they use the meals as fundraisers.
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What That Lady said. Looks like many have a different definition as to what constitutes a "church supper". Around here, the churches provide all the food, usually served family style. No guests bring food. They are open to the public, not just church members. A fee is charged, usually adults pay the most, young adults pay a little less and the church usually lets kids 5 and under in for free.
 
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debodun said:
What That Lady said. Looks like many have a different definition as to what constitutes a "church supper". Around here, the churches provide all the food, usually served family style. No guests bring food. They are open to the public, not just church members. A fee is charged, usually adults pay the most, young adults pay a little less and the church usually lets kids 5 and under in for free.
Click to expand...
It was always the same in this area.

Also, in days gone by local merchants would provide many items at cost or donate things like coffee and butter.
 

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