North Tonawanda, NY (WBEN) A partnership between North Tonawanda, the city's farmer's market, and a church will be strengthened thanks to a special raffle this weekend. The grand prize is a Chevy Trax.
The raffle officially launches at the North Tonawanda City Market on Saturday, May 24, where the vehicle will be on display. Pastor Chad Rieselman of Lumber City Church says the market is very special. "The thing is you have eye to eye, ground level community contact," says Riesleman. "You're in direct contact with farmers and merchants that are bringing their wares to market, and buying direct from them. there's more than just feel good and community in that." The City Market was recently voted the number one farmer's market in America.
He says the raffle benefits the community. “Everybody wins when we pull together like this. Lumber City Church has always taken our outreach to underserved families by coming together with the community to serve them very seriously, and this partnership is a whole new step in continuing in that mission. It's humbling to see God making our vision come true with such amazing people in amazing partnerships.” adds Rieselman."We own and operate the Hope Center, which is right around the corner from there. Our church bought that property for the specific purpose of having a place for our partnership with the City of North Tonawanda Parks and Rec Department, their indoor youth program. The Rec is the home of lumber City Church. That's the building right around the corner from there. And we're coming together to help Michelle Bernas run excellent programs there for the NT city youth. So there's a place for them to go when there's inclement weather."
He says there's now the opportunity to ask for the community to come alongside the church.
Tickets are available for $20 each or 3 for $50 and can be purchased at the market via QR code or online at www.LumberCityChurch.com.