Rolling out the dough that will be wrapped around apples to make dumplings are, from left, Carla McIntosh, Margaret Brown, Barb Gaughan and Sally Petrucci. In the background, Donna Rickels can be seen prepping the apple dumpling batter. (Submitted photo)

ALLIANCE — A tradition that started in 2002 at Union Avenue United Methodist Church is continuing this fall as an experienced crew of apple dumpling makers got back to work last week and will continue through Thanksgiving.

Dumplings may be purchased inside the church’s north side parking lot door Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Sunday mornings. The cost is $12 for a package of six dumplings.

Dumplings also will be delivered to businesses with an order of five packs or more. Call the church at 330-823-9270 for information.

It’s a project that started in 2002 during the annual East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church when all delegates were given $1 from the conference treasury, along with the challenge to use it to raise money for missions.

About 25 people from Union Avenue UMC pooled their money, bought apples and flour and made a limited number of dumplings. They quickly sold, and from there the project took off. First under the direction of the United Methodist Women, the project is now overseen by the United Methodist Men since 2008.

Coordinating the project this year are Margaret and Keith Brown with assistance from Donna Rickels, Clyde Lepley, Dick Bashore, Walt Mozzochi, Mike Patterson, and all the volunteer dumpling makers and sellers.

Administrative assistant Chris Lamb and custodian Dale Brown also add vital support.

Since the men took over the project 17 years ago, they have made nearly $115,000 to serve the community.

“We are committed to the project and always look forward to the end of September when we begin making apple dumplings,” said Bashore. “Everything from getting the apples from Arrowhead, to the bagging process as the dumplings are put together and passed from one station to another, under Margaret’s guidance and direction, is a great experience and another way for our church to serve our community.”

The money has always gone to support church mission projects and community non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity, the Alliance Community Pantry, the YMCA Campaign, the Salvation Army, the Domestic Violence Shelter, the YWCA, the church’s Community Outreach Fund, Clothed in Righteousness, Harvest for Hope in Sebring, Mount Union’s Raiders Cove and Mount’s annual mission trips, and the monthly spaghetti dinners at Christ United Methodist Church.

Over the years, church volunteers have made that happen. In the last 17 years, they have taken 1,064 bushels of Empire apples from Arrowhead Orchard, 58 gallons of milk, 930 cans of Crisco, and 11,000 pounds of pastry flour, and turned it into 106,494 apple dumplings.

The church is located at 1843 S. Union Ave., Alliance.