CROP sale at Cape church funding community projects, scholarships

Forty years have passed since local women first began bringing their leftover crops, homemade sandwiches and baked goods to be sold for charity in the parking lot of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.

Dolly Jewel, a member of First General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, was present for the first sale, known as the Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty, or CROP, sale. Each year, Jewel has been one of many women to come together to raise money for community service projects and, more recently, a scholarship. This year's annual event was held Friday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. Around 20 years ago, the sale was moved to Centenary from St. Mary's and a luncheon was added, Jewel said.

Money for the scholarship comes from the proceeds of the CROP sale and the luncheon, as organized by a national women's group, Church Women United. The scholarship benefits a woman attending the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center seeking education in the health field.

The Cape Girardeau group is nondenominational as nationally mandated by Church Women United, an ecumenical movement that brings together Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian women.

"Since our mission is to help others, particularly women and their children, we do this to raise money to give to those types of causes," Jewel said. She said she likes for the scholarship to go to a single mother, to help a family by giving an opportunity for an educated parent to provide for her children. Jewel said the scholarship fund could benefit someone seeking an education in a number of health fields, such as radiology and nursing.

Ilena Aslin, left, sells tomatoes and beets to Carolyn Thompson on Friday during the 40th annual CROP sale sponsored by Church Women United at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. (Fred Lynch)

The group's yearbook states a mission of bringing women into a community of prayer, advocacy and service, and it lists priorities for the group that include attending meetings and arranging events, called "Celebration Days."

Throughout the year, the group participates in national events and holds their own exclusive local events, such as the CROP sale. During the sale members donate items to be sold in a "treasure sale," such as fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, homemade jams and jellies, plants, children's toys and household odds and ends. The luncheon has become a popular event for the group. Carol Simon said area businesses often order lunches for employees, which helps to raise additional money. The group charges $5 for a plate.

Simon, of St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, said 23 groups were represented in this year's event. Members come from many churches and several communities, including Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Gordonville, Perryville, Oak Ridge and Sedgewickville.

Simon said the number of women coming from each denomination was usually about equal.

"Everyone donates what they can, and it all comes together and turns out to be a really great time every year," Simon said.

Shirley Hutton, left, considers the baked goods offered as Ruby Deneke with Church Women United assists her during the 40th annual CROP sale Friday at Centenary United Methodist Church. (Fred Lynch)

Although the main benefactor from the work of the group is now a scholarship recipient, other area service organizations have benefited from the sale in the past. Donations have been made to the Cape Area Family Resource Center, Young Life and the Jackson Ministerial Alliance, among others.

Since the group is nondenominational, it invites women of any of the participating churches or individual Christian women to become members. The group's events are held at different churches each month, year-round, and include participation in a World Day of Prayer, hospitality and community days, as well as Bible studies and other luncheons.

Church Women United can be found online at http://www.churchwomen.org or by calling 335-2568.