Church News
Dinner Bell Menu for December 7, 2022
Christus Mother Frances, a five time yearly partner, is the Community Partner for this week’s meal. For the continued support of Christus for Dinner Bell we are greatly appreciative.
GRAB and GO with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus near 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Mexican Lasagna
Seasoned Pinto Beans
Mexican Corn Salad
Tortillas
Sopapilla Cheesecake
WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! KEEP DISTANCES! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED (FLU AND COVID) AS UPPER RESPIRATORY DISEASES ARE INCREASING DAILY!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
2022 Blue Santa Toy Drive Under Way Dec. 1-2 At Walmart
Priority Deadline to Register for Toy Assistance Continues Through Dec. 2
Hopkins County, Texas — The 2022 Blue Santa Toy Drive kicked offed of this morning at 7 a.m. in Walmart parking lot and will continue through Dec. 2, 2022
Working together with CANHelp, the Sulphur Springs Police Department, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, the Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County Fire Departments, CJ Duffey, Choice Hospice, and members of numerous ministries, businesses, organizations, and individuals once again have joined resources to collect and provide toys for children ages 1 to 14 years who currently reside in Hopkins County.
Sign up applications are available online at www.canhelponline.org until December 2. Distribution will from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 10, at First United Methodist Church, located at 301 Church Street in Sulphur Springs.
This year’s official Blue Santa Toy Drive will be held on Dec. 1 and 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the Walmart parking lot, located on 1750 South Broadway Street in Sulphur Springs.
“Because of everyone’s generous support, we all help a child receive a toy for Christmas,” said Blue Santa coordinators.
In addition to toys and bicycles, monetary donations will also be accepted at the toy drive Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1-3, to purchase additional toys to ensure each child on Blue Santa’s list receives a few toys each.
Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on December 1, CJ Duffey and Choice Hospice will be selling brisket lunches for $5 each at the Blue Santa site in Walmart parking lot; all proceeds will be donated to Blue Santa. These lunches will include a barbeque sandwich, a bag of chips, dessert, and a bottle of water.
If you purchase five or more lunches and live within the city limits of Sulphur Springs, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse, Sulphur Springs Police and Fire Department, and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and Fire Department will deliver them. Call 430-252-9096 to schedule delivery or reserve your brisket lunch.
The Cowboy Grinch also made an appearance, along with Blue Santa
The Blue Santa Toy Program has also placed blue barrels at stores, businesses, financial institutions, car dealerships, nursing homes and other facilities around the community to receive new unwrapped toy donations. These blue barrels will have the Blue Santa seal and a Blue Santa QR code should any wish to make an electronic monetary donation.
Locations of Blue Santa barrels are the following:
- Dollar General Stores:
- Como
- Birthright
- Highway 154
- Main Street in Sulphur Springs
- Grocery Supply
- Burgers and Fries
- Hopkins House
- Atwoods
- Guaranty Bank & Trust (919 S Broadway St)
- Fix and Feed
- City National Bank (201 Connally St)
- Alliance Bank (308 Church St)
- Cash Saver
- Jay Hodge Chevrolet (478 Wildcat Way)
- Brian Toliver Ford (1040 Gilmer St)
- Fire Side BBQ
- West Oaks Funeral Home
- Rock Creek Nursing Home
- Sunny Spring Nursing Home
- Soulman BBQ
- First Baptist Church
- The One Church
- State Farm Insurance (530 North Hillcrest)
- Professional Land and Title
- Head 2 Toe Nutrition
- County Club
- Red River Credit Union
- Cody Drug (offering a free B12 shot with any unopened toy donation through Dec. 9)
Blue Santa program will also be participating in the Lions Club’s Annual Lighted Christmas Parade Friday night. If you miss them at Walmart, bring you new unwrapped toy donation to hand to Blue Santa’s helpers as they pass by.
For additional information, contact CANHelp at 903-885-9797, ext. 3, or the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 903-438-4044.
County Line Baptist Church of Point: Live Nativity
County Line Baptist Church of Point is presenting a live nativity scene, otherwise known as a crèche, on December 11, 2022. It starts at 5:30PM and will continue until 8:30PM. Hot dogs, chips and hot chocolate will be served following the event.
League Street Church of Christ: Winter Coat Giveaway
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 in the Cash Saver Parking lot on Main, those in need can come and receive a free winter coat. Please be courteous and only take what you need.
Dinner Bell Menu for November 30, 2022
The Marine Corps League repeats as a Community Partner. We are grateful for the continued support!
Grab and go with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway (porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Oven Barbecued Chicken Legs
Macaroni and Cheese
Seasoned Italian Cut Green Beans
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread Slices
Brownies
BE CAREFUL AS THE PANDEMIC IS STILL IN OUR MIDST–ALSO THE FLU AND OTHER RESPIRATORY DISEASES! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
4 Fields Discipleship Training Seminar to be Held January 2023
Blue Santa Program Kicking Into High Gear
Official Toy Drive Slated Dec. 1-2 At Walmart
Hopkins County, Texas — The 2022 Blue Santa Toy Drive has already kicked into high gear.
Working together with CANHelp, the Sulphur Springs Police Department, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, the Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County Fire Departments, CJ Duffey, Choice Hospice, and members of numerous ministries, businesses, organizations, and individuals work to provide toys for children ages 1 to 14 years who currently reside in Hopkins County.
Sign up applications are available online at www.canhelponline.org until December 2. Distribution will be December 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, located at 301 Church Street in Sulphur Springs.
This year’s official Blue Santa Toy Drive will be held on December 1 and 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Walmart parking lot located on 1750 South Broadway Street in Sulphur Springs.
Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on December 1, CJ Duffey and Choice Hospice will be selling brisket lunches for $5 each and all of the proceeds will be donated to Blue Santa. These lunches will include a barbeque sandwich, a bag of chips, dessert, and a bottle of water. If you purchase five or more lunches and live within the city limits of Sulphur Springs, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse, Sulphur Springs Police and Fire Department, and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and Fire Department will deliver them.
Word is the Cowboy Grinch will also be making his appearance too … somewhere, who knows where!
The Blue Santa Toy Program has also placed blue barrels around the community to receive new unwrapped donated toys. These blue barrels will have the Blue Santa seal and a Blue Santa QR code if you would like to make a monetary donation. Locations of these barrels are the following:
- Dollar General Stores:
- Como
- Birthright
- Highway 154
- Main Street in Sulphur Springs
- Grocery Supply
- Burgers and Fries
- Hopkins House
- Atwoods
- Guaranty Bank & Trust (919 S Broadway St)
- Fix and Feed
- City National Bank (201 Connally St)
- Alliance Bank (308 Church St)
- Cash Saver
- Jay Hodge Chevrolet (478 Wildcat Way)
- Brian Toliver Ford (1040 Gilmer St)
- Fire Side BBQ
- West Oaks Funeral Home
- Rock Creek Nursing Home
- Sunny Spring Nursing Home
- Soulman BBQ
- First Baptist Church
- The One Church
- State Farm Insurance (530 North Hillcrest)
- Professional Land and Title
- Red River Credit Union
- Head 2 Toe Nutrition
- County Club
- Cody Drug
For additional information, contact CANHelp at 903-885-9797, ext. 3, or the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 903-438-4044.
Because of everyone’s generous support, we all help a child receive a toy for Christmas.
Registration For Blue Santa Toy Program Continues Through Dec. 2, 2022
Blue Santa Toy Drive Slated Dec. 1-2, At Walmart
Registration is currently under way for the Hopkins County-Sulphur Springs Blue Santa Toy Program, a partnership of city and county law enforcement and CANHelp, in cooperation with local businesses and community members.
How To Apply
Hopkins County families with a financial need may apply to the local Blue Santa program for assistance in providing toys for their children, ages 1-14 this Christmas. Registration began on Halloween and will end on Dec. 2, 2022. To apply for assistance, go online to the CANHelp website, canhelponline.org, and select “Click here to register” under the Blue Santa logo when it appears on the main banner. Then, follow the instructions to complete the application.
- When signing up online, families will need to provide:
- Proof of Hopkins County residence, such as a current utility bill;
- Birth certificate or proof of school enrollment for each child;
- Proof of income (help is based on 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines);
- Proof of SNAP, Medicaid, TANF or CHIPS (a state benefits letter), if applicable; and
- If not the child’s parent, proof of guardianship must be shown.
All applications must be completed online and an email address is required for the parent/guardian applying for toy assistance for the children in their care. CANHelp is helping to screen applicants, and will be communicating with registered families through email. Families may also receive text reminders about the pick up, so a cell phone number is needed.
Toy distribution will be Saturday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. Everyone will line up in their vehicle starting at the City National Bank drive-through at 201 Connally Street, then follow the officers’ directions to pick up location. Sulphur Springs Police officers will control the traffic, Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies and Sheriff’s Posse will provide security. CANHelp will be set up to distribute assigned numbers as the vehicles drive through the designated location at FUMC.
Any additional questions about registration may be directed to CANHelp at 903-885-9797.
How To Help
Blue Santa has been a holiday tradition in Hopkins County for decades. Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County law enforcement work together to see that no child goes without gifts at Christmas. The officials, however, depend on the community to help bless Hopkins County children by contributing toys and monetary donations to apply toward toys.
Toy donations may be made in the labeled Blue Santa barrels being distributed at locations throughout Hopkins County, at the annual 2-day Toy Drive or handed to Santa’s Helpers (look for the people wearing blue Christmas hats alongside Blue Santa’s ride) during the Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade.
Look for Blue Santa barrels (or other designated Blue Santa containers) at the following and other locations throughout the county:
Monetary donations to benefit the Blue Santa program may be made at the Blue Santa Toy Drive, electronically by scanning a QR code on or beside Blue Santa barrels, on the Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Blue Santa Facebook page and on flyers on this page.
Toy Drive
The Blue Santa Toy Drive is an annual event the community looks forward to every year.
Businesses, offices, agencies and sometimes even friends or families have fun challenging each other to contribute to Blue Santa. Kids enjoy going to the store, selecting items they would like or that they think kids of other ages would like, then taking them to drive to children who aren’t as financially fortunate as their families.
Children have been known to bring change they’ve saved up in their piggy banks to donate, because they can’t stand the thought of another kid not having presents to open and enjoy on Christmas. All amounts, big or small are appreciated and will be used to provide toys for Hopkins County children.
This year’s annual two-day Blue Santa Toy Drive will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 1-2, 2022, in the corner of Wal-Mart parking lot closest to Super Handy. Look for the law enforcement tents and Blue Santa.
Another annual part of the Toy Drive is the brisket lunch, provided by CJ Duffey and Choice Hospice. Pull up, ask for a lunch, make a $5 donation (or more if you are feeling generous) and someone will bring it to you. Delivery will be available in town for those ordering a minimum of five lunches per location. To reserve a lunch or schedule delivery for 5 or more brisket lunches Dec. 1-2 during lunch time (or until they run out) call 903-366-6629.
Bring the kids to the Toy Drive. The Grinch will be making his appearance with Blue Santa himself at the Toy Drive. A QR Code will be available for purchasing lunches and making donations.
Thanksgiving Dinner Bell Menu for November 16, 2022
The Knights of Columbus are smoking the turkeys and are the Community Partner for our holiday celebration. These men are REPEAT (many years) Thanksgiving partners! Dinner Bell is extremely thankful for their support!!!
The Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Bell Meal will be served inside First United Methodist Church. There will be no food pickup for this meal.
MENU
Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Dressing, and Gravy
Fresh Green Beans with Bacon
Holiday Honeycrisp Salad
Homemade Rolls
Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
BE CAREFUL AS THE PANDEMIC IS STILL IN OUR MIDST! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
Dinner Bell Menu for November 9, 2022
Dinner Bell is honoring Dr. Omer and Nell Kirkpatrick this week.
Omer Kirkpatrick was born in Sulphur Bluff on May 17, 1912. On November 13, 1943 he married Ruby Lanell (Nell) Ellison. He served in WW II with the rank of Major after graduating from Southwestern Medical School.
The Kirpatricks were the parents of Seba and Bob Kirpatrick, June Finke, Ruth Palmer and Ann Wyatt.
He was a physician in Sulphur Springs for 33 years with 30 of those years being the County Schools physician.
Nell was the ultimate wife, mother and homebody. To know Nell was to love her!
Grab and Go with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus starting around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Meat Loaf
Rice Pilaf
Mediterranean Roasted Carrots
Garden Salad
Banana Pudding
BE CAREFUL AS THE PANDEMIC IS STILL IN OUR MIDST! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!
The Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Bell Meal will be served inside First United Methodist Church. Keep watching for updates and the menu to be announced.
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
