Wesley Memorial Church Hosted Annual Pumpkin Patch

The Wilmington church launched its 36th annual charity fundraiser featuring 3,000 pumpkins.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy

Screen-print poster illustration of a field full of pumpkins on autumn grass with a church steeple in the distance, evoking a seasonal community fundraiser.
The Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Wilmington launched its 36th annual pumpkin patch fundraiser to support local and overseas charitable missions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church has opened its 36th annual pumpkin patch at 1401 S. College Road in Wilmington. The event supports various church mission work and local charities through proceeds from pumpkin sales.

Why it matters

The fundraiser leverages a long-standing partnership to support charitable initiatives while providing a venue for community service and local engagement. Revenue generated from the pumpkin sales directly funds the church's various local and overseas missions.

The church is offering 3,000 pumpkins for sale at its Wilmington location. This year marks the 36th annual iteration of the event, which utilizes a supply chain from 1,200 acres of farmland.

The players

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church

This Wilmington-based religious institution facilitates the annual pumpkin fundraiser to support its various mission projects.

Navajo Nation

This region in New Mexico serves as the farming hub where the pumpkins are grown by a workforce of over 700 Native Americans.

The details

Local sports teams assist the church by unloading the pumpkin shipments at the S. College Road site. Additionally, area high school students participate by volunteering at the patch to satisfy community service hour requirements.

Timeline

  1. The pumpkin patch fundraising partnership originally began in 1974.

  2. The 36th annual event operates from September 29 through October 31, 2026.

Market Landscape

The current pumpkin supply chain follows a structural shift initiated after Hurricane Hugo forced farming operations to the Navajo Nation. This long-standing arrangement secures the program's inventory while maintaining a consistent charitable output.

Residents can support local and overseas missions by purchasing pumpkins directly from the church grounds on S. College Road. The patch provides a seasonal opportunity for local students to complete their required community service hours.

The takeaway

Supporting this annual event provides tangible funding for local charities while involving the youth in community-focused labor. Participants help sustain a long-term partnership that connects New Mexico agricultural workers with Wilmington mission goals.

Further reading

For more information on community-based charitable initiatives, visit Philanthropy.

More information

Find additional details and background on the program via the pumpkin patch fundraiser information.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Wect.

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