“I have been a member ever since my baptism there when I was an infant,” she said.

Most of the memories she has of attending as a child are of going to Sunday School every Sunday.

McBride was born and raised in Fort Dodge, even raising her three sons here. She worked for a chiropractic office most of her adult life, but it was not until she retired four years ago that she really started to be involved with the church and serving her community.

Through St Paul, McBride started the JOY committee in 2021.

“It means Jesus, Others, and Yourselves,” she said.

“I’m not really even sure how it occurred to me, but I just felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to serve the Beacon of Hope Men’s Homeless Shelter a warm, filling meal they can all enjoy,” she added.

After the first meal they served was finished, the pastor and Beacon staff asked if she would be willing to provide a meal once per month and McBride said of course she was more than happy to serve monthly meals.

On the fourth Thursday of every month, the JOY committee comes together to plan, prep, cook, and serve a delicious meal to the men. There are 35 men to cook for and each time there are different volunteers from the church willing to help McBride with the meal.

Sometimes members will donate their time to help cook and serve, donate a little money to go towards groceries, donate certain food for the meal, or even donate the whole meal so all the JOY committee has to do is serve to the Beacon.

“We’ve had tubes of hamburger, pork loin, baked cookies, and one time we even had someone donate 13 butternut squash,” McBride said.

Once the meal is served to all the men, all the volunteers sit down and eat the meal with them.

“It is always nice to converse with them at that time and show them that through their struggles they are still worthwhile, ” said McBride.

McBride recalled how one time a gentleman was talking to her during the meal about how long it had been since he had his grandma’s scalloped corn as it was one of his favorite foods growing up. So the next month McBride made sure to include scalloped corn in the meal’s lineup for the man to enjoy.

“He came up to me after and was so touched that I remembered him telling me the story and served it at the meal,” she said. “It’s always a blessing to me when I am able to bless them and do whatever I can to help through their journey at the Beacon.”

Along with the JOY committee, Ann is also part of the St. Paul Quilters, which makes handmade quilts of various colors and patterns, then sells them.

“While making the quilts one day, I thought of an idea of making quilts for the veterans that are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church,” she said. “That way we can show our thankfulness for all that they have done for our country.”

That is when Valor’s of Veterans began at the church. There are about six different members who all help with Valor’s of Veterans. The ladies meet once a week on Tuesdays to work on the quilts.

“This is also a great way for us to strengthen the bond with members of my church as it creates the want to have a stronger relationship with the Lord,” McBride said.

Every veteran who is a member will have a chance to receive a quilt, but who receives them during a given year is always a surprise.

“It is a long process to make a quilt and we can usually make one to two per year,” she said. Each quilt is handsewn, with beautiful details and patterns usually incorporating red, white and blue.

Once the quilt is ready, they will personally take it to the veteran.

“Right now we are on our ninth one and it is all ready to be presented,” McBride said. “Usually when we give them the quilt they are in awe and taken aback. It’s always nice to see a smile on their face when they see the quilt.”

Since her battle with beating cancer, McBride is happy to be alive and wants to give back in any way possible. She loves to stay busy with her grandkids, church and community and serve wherever there is a need.

“God came not to be served but to serve others, and that is what we are supposed to do for one another while encouraging each other in the best ways possible,” she said.