By: Edward Lynn
Editor
The Annual Hot Beef Sundae Supper at the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church was a big success last Saturday evening, drawing a strong crowd and raising significant funds for both local and national causes. Nearly every item up for auction was sold, with proceeds split between the church’s benevolence fund and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) Disaster Relief Fund, which organizers noted would assist with wildfire recovery efforts in California.
“It’s so tragic,” said organizer Linda Spangler, who also led the kitchen during the event, speaking about the devastating California wildfires that have burned through Los Angeles. “But it is nice that we can do our part to help. That people all over want to help.”
The supper, which offered both dine-in and carryout options, operated on a free-will offering basis. Attendees enjoyed hot beef sundaes, a mound of mashed potatoes heaped with pulled beef and doused in rich, dark gravy, topped off with a cherry tomato, and served with a wide selection of delicious home baked deserts.
The highlight of the evening, however, was the lively auction that followed the meal. Volunteer auctioneer Mike Ryerson kept the audience entertained with his quick wit and humor, referring to one popular category of auction items as “a wide assortment of potato cakes,” which he jokingly called “Norwegian diet food.” His comedic approach elicited plenty of laughs and enthusiastic bidding from the crowd.
Among the big-ticket auction items were two handmade quilts that sparked fierce bidding wars. An Iowa State University-themed quilt sold for $275, while a University of Iowa Hawkeyes quilt fetched $225. Both items were beautifully crafted, and hotly contested by fans of the rival teams.
Pastor Jason Cooper expressed gratitude for the community’s generosity, emphasizing the importance of the causes supported by the event. “It all goes to people in need,” Cooper said, emphasizing that every dime raised went to a good cause, with half going to the church’s benevolence fund and half to the NALC Disaster Relief Fund to help those most affected by the California fires.
Once again Eagle Grove steps up to the plate to help those in need. And it didn’t hurt that the plate was piled high with a mouth watering blue plate special. And on that cold night the attendees left with full, warm bellies, and hearts warmed with the satisfaction of contributing to meaningful causes.
