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High Country United Church of Christ will ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ at F.A.R.M. Cafe on July 12

On Wednesday, July 12, between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. everyone is once again welcome to F.A.R.M. (Feed All Regardless of Means) Cafe at 617 West King Street for another of what is now a successful monthly event where a local business, group, or organization ‘Buys Boone Lunch’.   We are very pleased that our friends at High Country United Church of Christ, long-time supporters of the Café, will be the first local congregation to participate in the ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ program.

The monthly ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ days are similar to regular days at F.A.R.M. Cafe where guests can donate what they are able to for a great lunch. However, with HCUCC covering the cost of the meal on Wednesday, July 12, through a generous donation, each and every additional donation will be utilized by the cafe in its mission to fight food insecurity in the High Country.   So far the ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ program has raised over $12,000 for the direct mission of the Cafe representing 1200 meals that can now be provided for persons experiencing food insecurity.

Several members of High Country UCC were part of the founding board of directors for F.A.R.M. Cafe. Members have remained involved as volunteers, board members, donors, and regular diners at the Cafe. On Wednesday, July 12, HCUCC will not only be ‘buying lunch’ but church members will also be serving as volunteer servers, cooks, and dishwashers working with the Cafe staff. “The joy of Buying Boone Lunch through FARM Cafe on Wednesday, June 12th flows from eight years helping to hatch and then launch this Community Cafe into the greater High Country community.” According to Tamara Franks, pastor of HCUCC, “We invite you, Boone and beyond, to join us for lunch. Your presence and support continues to expand and grow the vision of community that responds to the goal to reduce food insecurity here in these mountains.” 

Renee Boughman (executive chef of F.A.R.M. Cafe), who is a member of HCUCC said, “Without the folks at HCUCC I don’t think we could have gotten the Cafe up and running. Now 8 years later (3 in planning, 5 in operation) they are still an important community of support for the Cafe. We really appreciate them stepping up to be the first of what we hope will be many congregations who participate in the ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ program.”

Tommy Brown, volunteer coordinator at F.A.R.M. Cafe said of the success of ‘Buy Boone Lunch’, “’Buy Boone Lunch’ is a win/win opportunity for businesses, organizations, and groups such as HCUCC who understand the importance of supporting local non-profit agencies such as F.A.R.M. Cafe. It helps those organizations be visible in the community as well, in this case, supporting a mission in which they believe, feeding those who are hungry.” Brown continued, “This will be our 7th ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ event. Businesses and organizations who have participated include 4 Forty Four Construction, Boone Drug Inc., M-Prints, Best Cellar, an ASU First Year Seminar class, Keller Williams Relator, and High Country Radio.” Brown said, “We already have groups lined up into the Fall to ‘Buy Boone Lunch’ and we look forward to working with more businesses and groups on what has becoming a great monthly special event in downtown Boone.”  

High Country UCC is located at 8233 Highway 421 North in Vilas. The website states that HCUCC is a safe, loving environment, to discover and cultivate spiritual growth, and to establish community by reflecting and celebrating God’s love. The mission of HCUCC is to inspire positive change in our world as we are led by Christ’s example of love, compassion, and acceptance of all people.

F.A.R.M. Café is a non-profit, pay-what-you-can community kitchen that builds a healthy and inclusive community. It provides high quality and delicious meals produced from local sources, when available, served in a restaurant where everybody eats, regardless of means.   The Cafe is open for lunch Monday-Friday 11 AM to 2 PM. For more information on F.A.R.M. Cafe and its mission to fight food insecurity in the High Country please visit the website at Farmcafe.org.