The pumpkins are grown on the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, and they are distributed and consigned to Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill and over 1,300 other churches of various denominations throughout the nation. These partnerships support over 300 jobs on the reservation, as well the programs of participating churches. Photo by Louise Krafft.
It is the 21st anniversary of Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill fall fundraiser, the Pumpkin Patch. This year’s sale opened on Oct. 5 and runs through Oct.31. The Patch is open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.
In addition to the pumpkins and gourds, home-made soups and baked goods (including apple crisp) are available for sale. All of the profits goes to support the following charities: Alexandria Hospital Board of Lady Managers, Alexandria Tutoring Consortium, ALIVE!, American Friends of the Diocese of Jerusalem, Carpenter's Shelter, Capital Caring, Child & Family Network Centers, Christ House, Christmas Families in August, Community Lodgings, Five Talents, Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light, Haiti Micah Project, Heifer Project International, Hogar Escuala (Costa Rica), Hopkins House, The Kelly Foundation, Offender Aid & Restoration, Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, St. Clements Homeless Overflow Shelter and the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.
The Pumpkin Patch is located in the churchyard of Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill at 3606 Seminary Road just west of the intersection of N. Quaker Lane in Alexandria.