The church had hosted the Harvest Festival back in 2013, but had done other smaller functions in recent years, according to Heidi Tesdahl, a member of the Parish and Family Life Committee.

“We wanted to bring back a community dinner,” said Tesdahl. “With this being the only fundraiser we do for the church the entire year, we wanted to enhance the fundraiser by offering silent auction items for the first time, as well as the raffle drawing.”

Dinner will be served, with the options of eating-in, carryout, or drive-thru. Meal tickets for adults will be $12 and children 12 and under will be charged $7 per ticket. Veterans will be able to eat free of charge, according to information provided.

The meal will consist of smoked pork loin, ham balls, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, salads, and dessert.

There will be raffle tickets available for $25 apiece or 5 for $100, with monetary prizes of $2,000, $1,000, and $500 up for grabs. The drawing will take place at 12:45 p.m.

There will also be a silent auction consisting of 40 items such as gift certificates to area businesses, jewelry and skin care products, a handmade quilt, crocheted baby hats, eight reserved Iowa Cubs grandstand tickets to any game of choice, an autographed football by Carl Eller, a one night stay at the Embassy Suites in downtown Des Moines, and much more, all donated by parishioners or community supporters, according to Tesdahl.

Dinner tickets and raffle tickets are available for purchase at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church Office, Maharry Family Dentistry, and Interior Spaces.

“It’s been a real endeavor to bring the community dinner back, with help from the Parish and Family Life Committee planning, organizing, and finding volunteers,” said Tesdahl. “Jenny Maharry has also been instrumental in the planning of the dinner, as well as all the parish volunteers who helped to contribute and gather the silent auction items.”

Proceeds from the Harvest Festival will help to fund church functions, such as “faith formation programs for children and adults, and community outreach,” said Tesdahl.