The Columbus Coalition of Reason (Columbus COR) is hosting their fifth annual “Flying Spaghetti Monster Benefit Dinner,” featuring -what else - a delicious spaghetti dinner with vegetarian, gluten-free and take-out options. The event will take place Thursday, November 10 from 6 until 8:30 pm (serving food until 8:00) at the First UU Church, 93 West Weisheimer Road in Clintonville.

Admission is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children aged fourteen and under, with proceeds going to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. In addition, there will be people collecting canned and boxed goods for the Foodbank. Guests can also participate in both a silent auction of handmade pieces by local artists, and a raffle for items donated by community members and local businesses.

Entertainment for the evening will include live music and brief comments from community members. For the children there will be a variety of supervised games and activities.

Last year, 137 people attended the Flying Spaghetti Monster Benefit Dinner and donated $2,385.01 and 391 pounds of canned and dry goods. Since 2012, Columbus COR has donated the total of $9,001.78 and 1,302 pounds of food. According to Avery Winston, organizer of this year's event, “The last four benefits were a blast. It was inspiring to see so many people come together and pull off a great event and have fun while doing it, especially after having done it for a few years now. It has helped to prove that people without traditional religious beliefs or a belief in a higher power are also helping the needy; it is not just something that the Christians do. I am hoping this year will be even better and we continue it next year.”

The holidays are a particularly hard time for many people around central Ohio, and this dinner is a perfect opportunity to gather with friends to help make a difference to those in need.

For more information visit ColumbusCOR.org or contact Avery Winston at ColumbusCoR@gmail.com or call (740) 815-5559 for media inquiries only.