30th Pumpkin Patch popular once again

The Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center put the fun in fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 20, when it hosted its 30^th annual Pumpkin Patch.

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CRC, 14 W. Lakeview Ave. The first block of Lakeview was be closed during the festivities, allowing a Columbus fire truck from Station 19 to be on display as well as animals from the Columbus Zoo.

Central to the annual Pumpkin Patch was the offer of a free pumpkin for every family – one per household – when they donate three or more cans of food.  This year’s collection is more important than ever, as rising costs of food and a growing number of families in need have put even greater pressure on the food pantry to keep up with the demands.

At last count, nearly 1,000 food items and serveral hundred dollars were raised for the CRC.

Plenty of other family-friendly activities were on hand, including games and prizes, face painting, making fresh apple cider, a bake sale, karaoke and a petting zoo organized by the Columbus Zoo.

The Kiwanis Club of North Columbus, sponsors of the event, grilled food for sale.

For the first time, the CRC auctioned off pumpkins carved by local celebrities and others skilled in the art of creative jack-o-lanterns. About a dozen carved pumpkins were auctioned, and fun mini-pumpkins painted by the Clintonville Arts Guild also were sold.

For more information on the CRC and the many services it offers, visit the website www.clintonvillecrc.org or call 614-268-3539.