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Church uses free food, football to spread gospel
Staff writer
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
People aren't used to getting things for free, so football fans are usually surprised to find free parking, hotdogs, popcorn and beverages when they park in a church lot near the Washington High School football field.
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"We just wanted to find a way to reach out to the community and to show our love to the community the way Jesus shows his love to us," he said. "We set up a little table and we give out sodas and water, and we give hot dogs and popcorn to anyone who comes by. We allow people to park in the parking lot for free."
Three years ago, he and a small group from the church were looking for a way to give to the community. It was then that someone suggested using the parking lot to serve those attending home football games.
Although local fans are used to their presence, he said some people are often caught off guard by their generosity.
"They are really surprised," he said. "Visitors give us a surprised look, but they enjoy it just as much as the others."
Although everything is being offered free of charge, he said there are always people who try to pay for the treats.
"We won't accept money for anything. We don't take any money at all, even if it's a donation," he said.
Ross said the volunteers typically give out about 80 hotdogs and 60 drinks at the games and they distribute pamphlets containing information about the church. As a result, he said a couple football fans have attend ed their church.
"But that's not our goal at all. We just want to spread the gospel and that's about it," he said.
The Rev. Don Waltermyer, the minister of the church, said their main goal is to be good neighbors.
"When I came here five years ago, we were taking donations from people parking in the lot and we would send it to the City Mission," he said, adding that he wanted to see the church move in a different direction: To be a church that doesn't ask for money and to give to the community.
"In short, we're trying to practice what we preach. We just wanted to be good neighbors and by our actions we want to support the team. We are really trying to live out our faith. God gave the gift of his Son and we're giving a gift. There's no kicker in this, there is nothing we are trying to get out of this. We do want to be supportive of the team, they are our next-door neighbors."
He said that for the past two years the church has invited the entire Wash High football team to dinner the evening before their first game.
"Basically, it was a covered-dish and we went out and bought some chicken. The whole team was there and the coaches," Waltermyer said. "Again, we're not trying to impress, we're just saying, 'We're here for you guys,' and that's basically it."
The parking-lot project, which doesn't have a name and is paid for by the church, is something they plan to continue for years to come.
"We don't see it stopping. It's a real blessing to be able to give things out to people," Ross said.
