Just fewer than 1,700 pies passed through the doors of the Innisfail United Church and into the freezers of community members after the completion of a semi-annual pie making fundraiser in recent weeks.
For the last 16 years members of the United Church have joined together with a number of community groups to make pies to sell to residents.
On Friday March 4, and Saturday March, 5, around 25 members of the Innisfail Nails, Needles, and Noses 4-H club helped the church members make the pies. The club helps the church in exchange for free rent for their club meetings and events. The Innisfail Cub Scouts and Girl Guides have also helped with the pie making in the past.
The church began the fundraiser in 1995 when members had heard of it being successful at another United Church that was willing to share its recipe, said church member Joan Walline.
“We also looked at it as a good resource for seniors in the town that would give them nutritious and fresh meals that weren’t expensive,” said Walline.
“Now we hear of parents buying them for their college students or for other people that live alone.”
Walline said they call upon the congregation and the youth for volunteers and that it is always a fundraiser that is also fun.
All of the pies are pre-ordered so they know how many to make. This year they made beef, turkey, and blueberry pies.
The church holds the pie making days twice a year and volunteers usually spend part of the day Friday and Saturday morning putting them together.
In the past they have made up to 3,500 pies in one day, said Nyna Marr, another member of the United Church.
The next pie making day will be in the fall.
"We also looked at it as a good resource for seniors in the town that would give them nutritious and fresh meals that weren't expensive."
Joan Walline
