Second Harvest Column: Ice Cream Social

By Lois Rockhill

"There are signs available in the garage. Wade got a quote ... they can do it in a week ... you can ask him the details. Hazel are you getting the cattle water tubs for the drinks and watermelon? Joe Mann will have a strength/mallet/bell ringing machine as a second adult game to the dunk tank. He said he can put it in the same area. We will have about 300 chairs, is this enough?"

These concerns and plans were part of Ice Cream Social minutes sent by Julia Wadsworth to 24 committee members last week. First Presbyterian Church across from the Ball State University campus in Muncie is on the home stretch for the second annual community Ice Cream Social being held Aug. 24 on the church lawn. The committee has been hard at work refining last year’s successful event and adding some new draws. Half of their proceeds will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. The other half will fund church missions.

Those notes from the minutes look familiar to anyone tackling a big event. You have the overall strategy and then the myriad of detail. Each part of the event requires a concentration of volunteers and a chair who can see that it all gets done. Marketing, food, games, ticket sales, volunteers and facilities, the amount of work is incredible. People must be recruited to set up, to clean up and to do all the things in between.

We have handled some big events at Second Harvest. The annual Dream Ball comes to mind. The end result is always satisfying but getting to that point is not without its challenges. That’s why we are so appreciative of groups that bless us with the proceeds while doing the work! I’m sure the leadership of other not-for-profit organizations feels the same way. What gratitude we feel when someone calls with an idea they plan to see to fruition!

Already this year we assisted with and reaped the benefits of Tails and Veils at Mounds Mall and the Taste of Anderson at Hoosier Park. It was exciting to walk around the mall and see the vendors catering to brides, grooms and weddings! Cakes, gowns, photos and decorations - it was good to see Seasons of the Heart and Pampered Chef in the lineup. Both are longtime supporters of Second Harvest. Out at the track we had a beautiful evening. Several food bank friends came through and stopped to comment on the good work we do and, oh my, the food! It was much more than a taste, it was a smorgasbord!

One of the keys to being the recipient of others hard work is your own standing in the community. Organizations make good partners when they are well thought of and seen as providing an essential community service. Not for profits must be selective too for it is our good name and reputation that adds perspective to events planned by others. People feel good attending an event that is associated with a respected service provider.

Even so, the name alone – our or theirs, doesn’t make an event a success. It takes commitment and hard work from all concerned to be sure all bases are covered. Our relationship with First Presbyterian began years ago when the Muncie based Tips for Hunger committee moved that successful event from the Hotel Roberts to the church. The event changed a bit and happily began to involve volunteers from the church. After a ten year run, an exhausted committee cheered the success but decided to let the event rest. By that time, First Presbyterian was well aware of the ongoing hunger relief work Second Harvest Food Bank provided. They decided to move forward with plans of their own. The Ice Cream Social was created as a way to highlight and support their many mission projects and the outreach Second Harvest provides to their community.

Join us on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church Friday August 24th from 5 PM to 8 PM. Along with ice cream, there will be a plate of food and a drink for each ticket holder. Tickets are $7 each and can be purchased at the church or at the event. Bring the little kids in your extended family. They will keep busy in the play yard on inflatable toys and with the games. It is going to be a big party — don’t miss the fun. Oh, and when you get your ticket, take a look at the event logo — someone was very creative!

Lois Rockhill is executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. She can be reached at lrockhill@curehunger_.org.

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