A great community effort, so typical of Eureka, made Saturday's Funds4Food fundraiser at St. Mark's Lutheran Church a big success. Goodwill offerings and donations from the event all benefited the Eureka Food Pantry.

Despite the high temperatures, there was a good turnout. Activities included classic cars, motorcycles, live music, a children's activity area and many food and product vendors.

Two bands played at the event, including Wildwood-based "Fox Creek," a bluegrass band. A crowd favorite was the ecumenical food booth staffed by men's groups at local churches. These guys definitely know the working end of a barbecue grill, because the burgers and brats were cooked to perfection and very delicious.  

Local youngsters also got into the fundraising act. At the snow cone stand, apparently no t-shirt was safe from the orange, yellow, green and blue toppings. "It's a hot day and we've sold a lot of these," said St. Mark's student Braden Leuthauser, holding up a frosty cold snow cone. Fellow booth worker Hannah Thurman, also a St. Mark's student, added "We're happy that we raised a lot of money for the food pantry." Also working the snow cone stand was LaSalle Springs Middle School student Cathryn Jones.

Some good-natured Kansas bikers definitely get first prize at the event for distance traveled. "Not long ago a St. Louis area biker was traveling through our area and blew a tire," said Rod Franz of Salina, KS. "One of the members of our local biker group helped him get back on the road by fixing the tire. That's what we bikers do; we take care of each other." 

His fellow motorcyclist, Howard Graham said, "We've been waiting for a chance to repay the favor, so we came out to help."