Saturday, Oct. 26 brought a big crowd to the Factory on Jackson in Salem to help local school children get nutritious lunches. The Dent County Cattlemen’s Association and Lunch Angels Program teamed up, big hats and big hearts combined, resulting in a magical evening and big donations for the Lunch Angels Program. The night resulted in total of over $29,000 donated.
According to Dru Howard, coordinator for Lunch Angels, the program began in 2014 as a way to ensure that all area school children receive a nutritious school lunch, regardless of their ability to pay. In partnership with Salem United Methodist Church and the local school districts, Lunch Angels pays off overdue lunch accounts for students that, left unpaid, might prevent them from having the same school lunch as their peers. For the 2024-25 school year, almost $10,000 in overdue lunch accounts was paid off through the program.
The evening started off with a social hour, followed by dinner catered by Vintage Apron, a basket auction with Tom Wulff auctioneering and Johnny Hagler and Dustin Howard catching bids, and the rest of the night was spent on the dance floor with DJ services provided by Shannon Phelps. Stephanie Strader, Stephanie Williams, and Melanie Wisdom had the event space beautifully decorated in a western theme with multiple photo opportunities.
“The Cowboys and Angels fundraiser surpassed our expectations,” stated Stephanie Strader, one of the gala’s organizers. “We raised over $29,000 thanks to the generosity of the amazing community we live in.”
Sponsors included, Dent County Cattlemen’s Assn., Country Mart, Dent County Farm Bureau, Gahr Trucking, Ozarks Vitality - Will Mahurin and the Carmier Family in Honor of Jenny Carmier. Auction baskets were donated by, Salem Public Library, Ace Hardware - St. James, Bonnie Gray, Joe & Jessie Easter - All Out Diesel, Dr. Ashlee Cunningham, Arlen & Tammy Walker, Olivia Wisdom - Circle W Esthetics, Timothy Cottrell - Midwest Mechanical, Shay Shults - ACAR Real Estate, Vintage Apron Catering, Sue Gash, Brad & Lisa Thompson of Salem Farm Equipment, Bryan & Melanie Wisdom, Josie Howard, Chilton Oil Company, Jen Stacy of Whiskey’s Resort Boarding & Daycare, Nick Holliday of Holliday Welding & Fence, Hannah Spencer of Hair by Hannah and Dr. Steve Watson’s, who’s basket alone raised over $3,500.
For more information on how to help the Lunch Angels Program, please contact Dru Howard or Salem United Methodist Church.
