Annual fundraisers provide for club and community in Mount Vernon

The country ham and chicken pie suppers held at the Mount Vernon Community Clubhouse have fed more than just the mouths of those attend. The fundraisers have also helped to provide funding for the club and give back to the community that surrounds it.

"This year we've made a donation to the Mount Vernon Baptist Church youth program, the Mount Vernon school to help with children's field trips and the Hudlow Fire Department to purchase training equipment," said Emma Walker, president of the club. "We're a small community, and those organizations are important to our community."

The Clubhouse has been a hub of the community since its construction in 1959, said Ernest Logan, who helped to build it.

"People wanted a place to go," Logan explained. "The church owned the land and gave it to the community for the clubhouse. Mount Hebron provided the water, and still does today."

Chicken pie suppers - as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas meals - were hosted for the community in the clubhouse. It was a place for neighbors to get together and fellowship.

"There was a community garden across the road, and people would pick the beans and then come and break and string them here," Logan added.

Today the clubhouse continues to serve as a place for friends, families and neighbors to come together to celebrate.

"I think its one of those places that provide a continuation of life events," Walker said. "We've had people tell us 'I always had my birthday parties here,' and then when it was time for them to have a baby shower, this is where they had it."

The Clubhouse is now a 501(c)4, which means it has non-profit status but is often ineligible to apply for much-needed grants to help maintain and support the upkeep of the building. The country ham and chicken pie suppers have really helped the organization to continue.

"The grants we have gotten have been used to make repairs and update the building," Walker explained. "in 2014 we appalled for a community action grant to replace the countertops. In 2015 we purchased new tables and chairs. This year we plan to replace the flooring in the bathrooms and lighting."

Rental of the building for events also provides money for maintaining it, but the country ham and chicken pie suppers are by far the best fundraisers.

"We are here from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on chicken pie supper day," Walker said. "We start serving at 4:30, and will have people waiting at 3:30. We've been told the country ham is the best in the county."

The suppers are also always held the same time each fall and winter - the second Saturday in October and November and again in February and March. Suppers are held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and the menu includes country ham, chicken pie, green beans, slaw, grits, applesauce, red eye gravy, biscuits, homemade desserts and tea. Adults eat for $9 each and children ages 6 to 12 for $5 each. Those 5 and younger eat for free.

"We're thankful to those who come out and support us," Walker said. "The weather has never kept people away. God's always good and sends us what we need."

For more information on the Clubhouse, new members are welcome to come to a meeting. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. and a covered dish dinner is served. Follow the clubhouse on Facebook by searching for Mt. Vernon Community Clubhouse.