19th Annual FUMC Chocolate Festival This Saturday

Floris United Methodist Church will host its 19th annual Chocolate Festival and silent auction this Saturday.

A strong turnout in the past, co-chair Sally Mathews said the event is held each year to raise money for the church’s Student Ministry mission trips as well as the Help Hungry Kids Ministry, which provides food for children who have little to eat.

“We package easy to make food in a Ziploc bag meant for a student at a local elementary school to take home as food for the weekend,” Mathews said.

Each package comes with easy to handle items such as oatmeal, granola bars, macaroni and cheese and applesauce.

“We're finding that there are a lot of kids who get free breakfast and free lunch at school but on the weekend they don't have much to eat," Mathews said. "So we're giving the packages to principals at some of the local elementary schools and they are using their discretion to send them home with children that they know need the food.”

Proceeds will also benefit Grace Ministries, which provides emergency food, clothing, household items and diapers to seven United Methodist Churches in Northern Virginia.

During the festival, Mathews said anyone who brings in a pack of diapers, for Grace, will be entered into a drawing for four tickets to King Dominion.

“Our Grace ministries event is an event that we hold once a month, at our church where we give out food, clothing and diapers," Mathews said. "Diapers that come in will definitely go towards Grace so next month they should hopefully have a lot of diapers to hand  out to the clients who come in."

Saturday's event will include a number of activities including a silent auction, card making, carnival games and inflatables. A $5 wristband will for unlimited enjoyment will be available for purchase.

Lunch and beverages will be offered as well as a chocolate buffet and elegance table. Cookies, brownies and decorated cakes will all be on sale.

“It's just a day of community fun and it's a time to catch up with friends,” Mathews said, adding that it's just in time for Valentine's Day. “It's a great community event for families where you can enjoy games, food and get together with neighbors and friends. And the best part is that we raise some money for people in our local neighborhood.”

The Chocolate Festival will take place Saturday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Floris United Methodist Church is located at 13600 Frying Pan Rd., in Herndon. Call 703-793-0026 or visit www.florisumc.org.