JACKSON CENTER — The Jackson Center United Methodist Church, 202 E. Pike St., will host a soup and sandwich meal, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., during Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Wanda Kaufman, of Sidney, started the annual event some 15 years ago.

“I saw in the paper where other churches were doing Election Day food. I was president then of the Methodist Women. I thought, ‘We could do this,’” she said.

She and Jeanne Anne Williams, of Jackson Center, are in charge of this year’s dinner. Kaufman has overseen all of them except two.

“When I had heart surgery, I had to bow out and a couple of others took over. Now, I’m back into it,” she said.

It takes 20 people to pull the whole thing off.

“A lot of work has to be done ahead of time,” Kaufman noted. “They put posters up all around town.” And parishioners donate and make all the food. While the project is a Methodist Women undertaking, the whole congregation gets involved.

“We have a sign-up sheet. We passed it around, Sunday, and every blank was filled,” Kaufman added.

They make soups, which sell for $2 each; shredded chicken and barbecue sandwiches, $2 each; hot dogs, $1; coney dogs, $2; and pies, $2. Also for sale are bottled water, pop and coffee for $1 each. Applesauce is free. Meals are available for dining in or carrying out.

Kaufman makes peanut brittle, caramels and cookies, which are also for sale.

“(The event) has always been very successful,” Kaufman said. “We usually clear more than $1,000.” The funds are used for various church projects, including missions and the support of needy families during the holidays.