May 4th, 2012

Lunch With A Purpose Coastal Delaware, A Women’s Organization, A Monthly Gathering, Lunch, Raising Funds to Benefit a Sussex County Charity and The Food Bank of Delaware

When my friend Jody called me the other day to remind me that the Lunch with a Purpose luncheon was going to be on Friday, May 4th, I said “Of course”, “I’ll be ready”.  Come to think of it, I really did not know what Lunch with a Purpose was about.  I knew it had to do with charities, but that was about it.

Well, surprise surprise.  I have told you before that I have lived here for so many years.  You would think that at this gathering of women I would have known another person besides Jody.  Not one person I knew or, actually, recognized.  Where have I been living?  Unreal.

Lunch with a Purpose started in 2006.  It’s Mission?  “To support charitable organizations in Sussex County, and the Food Bank of Delaware.”  Sussex County is where the Delaware Beaches are and it is the largest county in Delaware.

From September to May, on the first Friday of each month, Lunch with a Purpose has a new location and a new charity.  Yes, If you do have a charity, here in Sussex County, you can contact them so they can put you on their schedule of luncheons.

And this organization is comprised of women only.  You can find Lunch with a Purpose Coastal Delaware on Facebook, as well.

Lunch with a Purpose is the largest contributor in Sussex County to the Delaware Food Bank.  5,400 pounds of food were donated during the 2010 – 2011 collection season.

What started with a handful of women in 2006 is now an organization of over 600 women, making a difference in Sussex County and Coastal Delaware. 

Please note that 100% of all proceeds go directly to the local charities; keeping it, here, in Sussex County.

This was going to be the last lunch of the season until next September.  The location was the beautiful Baywood Greens Golf Club located on Rt. 24 in Long Neck, Delaware.

This last luncheon was sold out in 2 days.  That’s how popular it is.  Upon reserving, you arrive, pay $15 for the lunch, and grab a seat at a table.  You can make new friends, just like I did.  There is a 50/50 raffle.  Throughout the room you will find silent auction items. You can buy as many tickets as you want.  So many items; the community, the artists, the shops, and restaurants, have been so generous.

The ladies were moving around the silent auction, or stopping at the bar to get a drink.  This room probably held about 250 people and if was completely full.

When you make a reservation for one of these luncheons, you have a couple of choices of food.  Jody had chosen a salad for me, which was light and delicious.

Other choices were a chicken sandwich and a vegetarian sandwich.  Cookies for dessert.

Cheryl Mitchell welcomed everyone.  Announcements were made regarding the funds raised for this year and believe me it was an impressive number considering that they only meet once a month for not even a full year.

The charity chosen for this last luncheon was the Alzheimer’s Association – Early Diagnosis.  Sussex County falls under the Delaware Valley Chapter.  The address is 108 N. Bedford St., P.O. Box 625, Georgetown, DE 19947.  Tel. 302-854-9788 or visit www.alz.org/desjsepa.  The color purple was on flowers and other decorations; it is the color of Alzheimer.

The lady that spoke works for the Alzheimer’s Association.  For me she became the new face of Alzheimer’s.  She spoke of her warning signs, her diagnosis, her daily life, and looking towards the future.  She does not let Alzheimer’s define her.  The way she spoke was moving.  Most, in that luncheon, new of someone with Alzheimer’s.  Her words were deep and very emotional to all of us that were there. 

If you would like to know more about Lunch With A Purpose, please contact Cheryl Mitchell at cherylmitchell13@gmail.com.

There were a few winners at my table; I was not one of them.  I put so many tickets on the golf package at The Peninsula.  I was sure I would get that one.

Time flew by and it was time to say our good-byes….It is so funny when I think of how this area is called “Slower Lower Delaware”…no way.  Look at us now. 

What a nice afternoon!!  Talk to you later.

Note:  When attending a luncheon, please bring canned goods.  All of them will be given to the Delaware Food Bank.