Annual Pumpkin Patch opens at NMUMC

It’s pumpkin time at North Morganton United Methodist Church. For the 29th year, the church (often called “The Pumpkin Church”) is arrayed with pumpkins of all sizes, with some unique shapes, and with a variety of colors.

This annual project is a churchwide mission that benefits many local nonprofit organizations within the community. The price of the pumpkins varies according to size, ranging from $1 to $50.

Sales are staffed entirely by individuals within North Morganton United Methodist Church.

The Pumpkin Patch is a churchwide project. All ages are involved in unloading and setting up the patch. The church would also like to thank the following people, in addition to those within the church, who helped unload the pumpkins this year: students from Draughn, Freedom, Patton, and West Caldwell, and volunteers from THOR, the Flynn House, and Narcotics Anonymous. About 100 people unloaded 3,000 pumpkins in record time — two hours.

The church receives the pumpkins from the Navajo in New Mexico. They grow and harvest the pumpkins, load the pumpkins on the truck, and drive them from New Mexico to Morganton.

The church receives 33% of the profits, the Navajo receive 33% of the profits, and the remaining profits go to the company, Pumpkin Patch USA, which is responsible for all the logistics, transportation, and communication between the church and the Navajo Indians.

Two photo display opportunities — one with a fall theme and one with a Halloween theme — are available. Bring your cameras and take as many pictures as you like. Children’s games are also set up to entertain the young ones while their parents shop for pumpkins.

The Pumpkin Patch is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sunday from 1-7 p.m. The Pumpkin Patch is on the lawn at North Morganton United Methodist Church, 990 Sanford Drive, Morganton.

For more information, call the church office at 828-437-3852.