Spaghetti dinner at First Baptist aims to support a new mission

This new BGNN series in 2026 focuses on the many people in local communities who do good works for others – mostly behind the scenes. Read about some of the “good majority” of people who quietly make a difference in people’s lives.

By CHRISTINA McCUNE
BGNN managing editor

BARBERTON  Polly Wiggins and Sheila Haby wanted to do something to help residents of this city.

Through their church, First Baptist of Barberton, they volunteered with other members in a weekly rotation of churches organized through the Coalition of Concerned Christians to serve weekly Friendship Meals at First Presbyterian. They saw firsthand how people appreciate and depend on the weekly meal and they began discussing what they and their church could do to help those in need.

“We see a lot of people coming in and there’s a lot of people that just need help – just a leg up sometimes,” she said.

Wiggins said she understands about living paycheck to paycheck and it’s also not unusual for anyone suddenly to find themselves facing hardship. Sometimes, people just need a boost – a bit of support.

The pair enjoyed a spaghetti dinner at a church in Cuyahoga Falls and thought they could do something similar in Barberton. “We kicked the idea around,” Wiggins said.

They received some advice from the church that hosted the successful dinner and Haby – who Wiggins calls an exceptional cook – tweaked the sauce recipe to make it her own – and now they’re getting regulars at their own spaghetti dinner.

“We wanted to start a mission in Barberton,” Wiggins said. “So we thought if we could start a spaghetti dinner.”

Soon, Barberton Family Mission was established at First Baptist Church of Barberton.

The mission? Help as many people locally as they can.

“We wanted to do something,” Wiggins said. “We wanted to help the people in Barberton. … The money will stay in Barberton.”
The spaghetti dinner is offered the third Friday of each month. The next dinner is 4:30-6:30 p.m. April 17 at the church, 254 Sixth St. NW, Barberton. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Dinner includes spaghetti, salad, bread, drink and dessert.

Kicking off the fundraiser in January, the church has only hosted three of the dinners so far but those three dinners each brought in on average 40 people. A nice turnout during a time with stiff competition: harsh Northeast Ohio weather and other churches and organizations putting on Lenten fish fries.

“We run it like a restaurant,” Wiggins said. “People come in, they sit down, and we serve them and we treat them like they’re in a restaurant.”

The dinners have also gathered a nice group of volunteers and support from the church. The first few dinners raised enough to cover expenses to put on the meal and now funds can go toward the Barberton Family Mission.

This is just the beginning.

Wiggins said they hope to do more things to raise funds and it will be up to a group of them including the church to decide where the funds should go in the city to help residents in need. “We’re hoping this will grow,” she said.

So far, word of mouth has helped spread the word about the delicious affordable spaghetti dinner for a good cause. People from the neighborhood have noticed signs and they’re already seeing regulars.

The meal is accommodating to people with different dietary needs. Spaghetti is available with sauce with or without meat. Gluten-free spaghetti is offered. For those who don’t like spaghetti, they can opt for a larger dinner salad with extra fixings. Desserts are homemade, Wiggins said. Carryout is available.

Wiggins said the dinner provides a friendly family atmosphere.
So far, leftovers have been taken to the Salvation Army. Wiggins said first responders such as law enforcement and firefighters who come in wearing their uniforms can receive a complimentary meal as a thank you for all they do.

“It’s a great church,” Wiggins said. “It’s so warm and friendly. It’s a really nice church. I know all the people there.”