Emily Paine Carter

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You might not think that a teaspoon-of-this and a slice-of-that could fill your plate and satisfy your palate. But it can.

Likewise, charitable donations here and good deeds there add up.

That's how the good women of "Circle 9" at Salem's First United Methodist Church have worked for decades. Their first fundraising luncheon in 1977 was fashioned after a "Tasting Tea," explained Carol Jean Nunnally. She renamed it "Bits and Pieces" -- and it's been a popular event since.

Event co-chairwomen Kay Thomasson and Nunnally described how the 50 members pull it all together: Each member submits two recipes to be incorporated into a small cookbook, prepares the dishes and serves the 250 guests.

Not only have those "mere" nibbles filled many a plate; the circle's funds for missions have flowed as well. Thanks to sales of luncheon tickets and cookbooks ("we clear about $1,200," Nunnally said), some smaller fundraisers and pledges by members, the women support quite a list of worthy causes, including: the Food Pantry (the "Snack Buddy Project" for public school students is particularly well-supported, Nunnally said); Christmas "Angel Trees," a prison ministry; the Needlework Guild's Community Shoe Fund; youth scholarships for Camp Alta Mons in Shawsville; Catawba Hospital; the Clothes Closet; the Turning Point shelter; the Salem Christmas Store; United Methodist Youth Fellowship; missionary trips; and the inner-city mission program run by Trinity United Methodist in Roanoke.

"And others, depending on what comes up and how much [money] we have," Nunnally said. Our donations "aren't going through the government; we know these people are getting help."

In 1993 the luncheons were changed from yearly to every other year. Small cookbooks of that day's recipes are also for sale. The 25th-year cookbook compiled previous recipes. "It was a big job," Thomasson said, "and it's now out of print, but if there's enough interest we might have it reprinted."

This year's theme is "Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown," Nunnally wrote in an e-mail. Circle member/artist Margaret DuBois is designing the cookbook cover, as she has done for many previous years.

On nonluncheon years the circle "retreats" to Alta Mons. "Spiritual, but we also have a good time!" Thomasson laughed.

"It's a nice group of nurturing women," Nunnally wrote, "sisters in Christ who have shared laughter, tears, joys and concerns." She said they bring in a facilitator to guide discussions; last year's covered "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow.

Thomasson said that she and Nunnally will have faced their own anxieties by the luncheon's end: "Our hair will be standing out like this!" she said, gesturing broadly.

But somehow it will all come together: those assorted 83 recipes, scurrying circle members, chatting guests, filled tables and filled tummies.

Bits and Pieces Luncheon, First United Methodist Church, 125 West Main St., Salem. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 21. Limited tickets available for $7 from Lynn Woods, 389-5681, and Donna Neighbors, 387-0382. Cookbooks, $3.