Local church starts its pumpkin season

While many consumers are tightening their belts, there may still be a little left over in the budget for fun. Fall is here, and that means Halloween and pumpkins.

For one local church, that means raising money for a good cause. The proceeds from whichever pumpkin you choose will help the youth group for the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Wilmington.

Youth group director, Kristin Bednarczyk said, “We get an 18-wheeler load of pumpkins every Saturday for five weeks.”

The pumpkins come from a Navajo Indian reservation in New Mexico. A national organization, called The Pumpkin Patch Company, out of Greensboro, regulates the prices by size.

Proceeds are split between the youth group and the workers who grow and pick them. It is the youth group’s sole fundraiser for the year. So far, it has been a success; proving you do not have to wait until October to get the perfect pumpkin.

“My son bought a decorating carving book. We want to get a pumpkin big enough to do one of those decorations for it,” said Robin Mitchell.

The pumpkin patch at the United Methodist Church on South College Road, is open 7 days a week.

The hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 p.m. through 6:00 p.m.