The Women for ACU organization sells homemade meals and desserts at low prices for the public every Thursday at the ACU Museum from 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
This is WACU’s biggest fundraiser of the year and it has been happening for many years. They raise money for scholarships, departments on campus, and student projects that involve technology purchases. They also partially sponsor the Shakespeare Festival every summer in Abilene.
“We have a group of eight to ten ladies that make the casseroles about every three weeks that we then freeze,” said Kathy George, WACU secretary. “We have two different sizes that serve two people and four people and you can special order larger casseroles. We also have a variety of baked goods every week that include pies, cakes, breads, and sweet rolls.”
Marian Piersall, president, said that they have given money to many departments over the years. Some of which include, the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Music.
“This year there are many departments who need money for different things,” Piersall said. “The business department is wanting to send a student to a national conference to read a paper. The kinesiology and nutrition department is trying to purchase new pedometers. The student projects that we also try to fund are usually in need of technology equipment.”
The event usually receives a mix of individuals who come to purchase meals and desserts, including students, ACU faculty and staff, and community members from University Church of Christ and around the area.
“We have several regular faculty members who come buy meals for that evening’s dinner or to stock up for the next week,” said Piersall. “It’s kind of like shopping in the freezer aisle at the grocery store, except the food is homemade.”
Recently, the WACU Museum sign was changed to ACU Museum. Piersall said that the museum board and national WACU board changed the name to better reflect the use of the building.
“The museum is not just about the Women for ACU,” Piersall said. “It’s all about the history of ACU and not just the women of the university.”
