Christine O'Connor

Many people restrict their charitable giving to the holidays, but Tootie Lenhart and Russ Delauter continue in that spirit every day of the year.

Imagine turning out approximately 2,500 chicken pies, 4,000 quarts of soup, 6,700 dessert pies, 14,000 dumplings, numerous cakes and putting on breakfasts and dinners for benefits and the church congregation from time to time. That’s what Tootie and Russ accomplished last year in the basement kitchen of Trinity United Church of Christ for its benefit and that of the community at large.

Their tireless efforts and the gift of nearly twenty years time has had a positive effect on others, evidenced by

benevolent contributions to members of the community, the continued financial well-being of their church, and outreach projects in support of other organizations such as the Lions Club.

Russ Delauter describes the early stages of the kitchen endeavors as a means to help out the church. "Financially they were in bad shape, so the president asked if I could help. We started in a small way. We baked 30 or 40 chicken pies and thought we’d made something," he recalls. "Now we make 800 at a time."

Russ expounds on some of what motivates he and Tootie to work in the kitchen every day, often pulling "all-nighters". "It makes it easier, particularly on young couples with children. I don’t want someone to feel bad that maybe they can’t help support the church. This way, we don’t have to rob people to keep the doors open," he continued. "We have churches in debt to the point they are losing members because the members feel they can’t give enough to support their church. When I came into this church thirty years ago and found they were in debt and couldn’t pay their bills, it really upset me. We have facilities—let’s do something."

Tootie Lenhart joined the effort after a couple of years, both of them working

in the basement kitchen of Trinity to make Russ’ chicken pies and other food items after work and on weekends. When they both retired, they concentrated their efforts on their fundraising

activities via cooking and baking.

Russ credits Tootie as the brains behind their great success, bringing many of her own recipes and organizational skills to bear. "It just took off because she doesn’t turn down anybody for anything."

He humbly shrugs off his own efforts with a smile. "I’m just like a monkey. Just show me what to do and I’ll do it."

They explain the good-natured working relationship they share. "We sit down and discuss things." Russ says. "We seldom disagree."

"We sit down and discuss it," Tootie laughs, "and he’s always right." She points out a sign near the kitchen door that reads, Do you want to speak the man in charge or the woman who knows what’s going on?

Neither of them have professional cooking experience, but as Tootie describes, "It grew over time." So over the years, they have acquired convection ovens, multiple freezers, massive soup kettles and electric mixers that incessantly whir for hours on end during the holidays, benefits, and events like The Great Frederick Fair and Colorfest.

But apple peeling is all done by hand with mechanical peelers. "Every seven minutes we can put out a bushel. But you do three or four bushels and …it really works on you," Russ says, adding that all the pie dough is hand-rolled too.

They are gratified by all the extra help they receive during their busiest times. Pastor Les Sims and his wife, Shirley often lend a hand. "At Colorfest, they stand back here for ten, twelve hours." Russ says. "That’s a great feeling to know that you have family and friends to call when you need them." Both cite a treasured core group of church members and others who are the mainstay of their crew when they need assistance.

Tootie has friends she’s known for over thirty years who travel from Frederick and jump in whenever they’re needed. "They enjoy it," Tootie says. "It’s a fellowship. We have a nice dinner for them after we’re finished working. If someone helps out for an hour, it’s the same as putting $10 in the collection plate."

They are concerned that there seems to be little interest from members of the congregation to continue what they’ve begun in Trinity’s kitchen. Still though, they remain hopeful and confident that someone will carry on the tradition embodied in the motto, "Trinity cares".

In the meantime, Russ Delauter is happy to reign supreme as a self-described monkey. "Just show me what to do, then get out of my road," he says with a smile that belies decades of compassion for others he and Tootie Lenhart exhibit every day.

And no monkey could fabricate such a delectable chicken pie.