Mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 22, pick up unique handmade items and enjoy tasty homemade food when Ruhl's Church hosts its ninth annual Manheim Holiday Craft Show. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 4810 Elizabethtown Road, Manheim.

"We have 45 vendors," said Michelle Eakman, who is coordinating the vendor part of the show and will sell handmade scarves. "We have a lady who embroiders everything from towels to pillows. We have somebody who does wooden items. We've got vendors who make ornaments, goat soap, chocolate candies, bread, tumblers, essential oils. I also have some direct-sales people like Pampered Chef, Norwex and Mary Kay."

In addition to shopping, people can enjoy food to eat on-site or take to go. The menu will include chicken corn noodle soup, beef barbecue, hot dogs, desserts and drinks.

Proceeds from the craft show will benefit church mission trips.

"It benefits local, national and global missions," said Gail Ruhl, who handles the food for the craft show and organizes the mission trips. "We're doing two trips this year. One team in June will be going to West Virginia, and the team in July will be going to serve at Kairos House in Guatemala City, Guatemala."

Gail and her husband, Chuck, have planned mission trips for many years. The upcoming missions will be their 31st and 32nd trips they've organized, but it will mark the first time the couple has traveled outside of North America.

"Our daughters have gone to the Kairos House, and they'll be coming with us on this trip, so we're excited about that," Gail shared, noting that Kairos House was started by the parents of a former congregant. "Kairos House houses people who have to come from very far away to seek medical attention."

As Stephanie Heisey, event volunteer, added, "It's like a Ronald McDonald House in Guatemala."

Kairos House needs renovation work to make it more comfortable, safe and family-friendly, and the team will be working on that, Gail said.

Heisey will accompany the group to West Virginia.

"We've gone to that area probably five times," she said, noting that it's an economically depressed region. "The church we work out of, homeless people sleep there. We work to help people that can't help themselves."

The region has been hit by natural disasters in the past, and work is ongoing to fix problems caused by the weather.

"After there's been a disaster, people help for a while, but then the money dries up and people just don't go there anymore," Gail said. "It's amazing how many years it takes to build back."

Heisey related a story of a woman they helped who had waited two years for a hole in her roof to be repaired.

Events like the craft show help vendors such as Heisey raise money for their mission trips, and they also help to bring in newcomers to the church.

"This type of event will allow attendees to see our church in action," Gail said. "The atmosphere will be relaxed. It will be an informal way to experience and explore our church. Any time we get people through our doors, we're excited."

Ruhl's Church hosts community activities throughout the year, all with the goal of inviting people in.

"Our goal with any event is to be welcoming and friendly," Gail stated. "All who attend will be able to meet members of the mission outreach team and talk to them personally about how we reach out to help others by meeting their physical needs, which often leads to situations where we can share our faith and meet their spiritual needs as well."

She hopes people will come to the craft show to pick up a unique gift or a tasty treat.

"This will be a great opportunity to start your holiday shopping. This type of event is always exciting because the variety of handmade items are all one of a kind," Gail said. "Come with a group of friends or family and have fun shopping together while appreciating the talent and treasures at the crafters' stands."

Food at the Manheim Holiday Craft Show will be available for purchase by cash only. Some craft vendors may accept credit cards or electronic payments. Parking is available in a large lot, and both the building and restrooms are handicapped-accessible. For more information, search for "Manheim Holiday Craft Show" on Facebook.