St. Barbara Church to benefit local nonprofit with Autumn Fest

While St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s Philoptochos Society members feed community members during the church’s annual Autumn Fest, the members at the same time are focused on Feeding Empty Little Tummies. 

Feeding Empty Little Tummies of Manatee County will receive a portion of the proceeds from the festival, which runs Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, among other nonprofits. 

After seeing the damage Feeding Empty Little Tummies’ facilities in Palmetto sustained during the hurricanes, the Ladies Philoptochos Society decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from Autumn Fest to the nonprofit. 

This year’s Autumn Fest will bring back popular food items for dine-in or takeout. Food options include gyros, spanakopita, lamb shanks and pastitsio. 

Craft tables with homemade items are returning to the festival this year. 

Janet Rantis, the president of the society, said every penny the society raises “goes out the door” to various nonprofits. 

“That’s why we’re all here in the organization in the first place, because our hearts are to give,” said Connie Gorzelany, the chapter’s record secretary. “This is what the Philoptochos (Society) is all about. It’s for caring for the poor, caring for anyone who’s less fortunate. That’s pretty much the heart of all of us. We are here for the same purpose.”

The members of the chapter said they choose nonprofits and charities in which they know every dollar will directly impact those the organization is serving. 

Knowing Autumn Fest will benefit nonprofits, especially after Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton devastated the area, makes their work all the more meaningful, members said. 

“It’s God’s work,” said Preggy Doukas, the chapter’s treasurer. “You have to help your fellow neighbor. We have to roll up our sleeves and do whatever it is we can do in whatever way we’re able to do it.”

Rantis said the festival also brings together members of the chapter in a fun way as they come together to cook and bake the foods for the festival and volunteer at the festival. The members have become more like family.

The joy they have with each other spreads to those who attend, she said. 

“People from the community come out, get a meal, enjoy some of our great culture foods and it brings smiles to faces,” she said.