John Kepple of Butler selects a dessert from the cookie table Saturday, March 11, during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. The event also featured a select of appetizers, fruit, vegetables, beverages, and wine and beer. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Art lovers and altruists gathered Saturday, March 11, for the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall, 432 Center Ave.

The event, which ran from 6 to 9 p.m., featured more than 100 paintings and signed prints by three local artists for sale, in addition to a basket raffle, live music by Bryan Heltzel and Jim Cunningham, and wine and light refreshments.

The evening’s proceeds, including 30% of all art sales, will go to benefit Butler churches that feed the hungry. The churches — First English Lutheran Church, St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, Saint Andrews United Presbyterian Church, St. Mark's Lutheran Church and First United Methodist Church — each offer free meals one day a week.

Justine Brown, the manager of Katie's Kitchen at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, said the 2022 gala raised more than $19,000 to support the free meals.

Paul Means discusses his artwork Saturday, March 11, and explains what goes into each painting during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

And there’s a need for every cent. Brown said the five churches have noticed an increase in the number of people taking meals since last fall.

“In the last nine months, our five churches working together, have seen the number of people we feed double since September,” Brown said.

“I don’t know the reason — it could be inflation, more needy people moving to Butler, it could be SNAP money is decreased,” she said.

She said the churches pay for the meals with church funds and assistance from the Butler County Food Bank.

Attendees had a chance to meet all three local artists, Jon Pugliese, Mark Hall and Paul Means.

Pugliese, a retired art teacher, said the gala was started last year, and went so well they decided to do it again. He added, they invited Hall, a retired art teacher from Grove City, and Means, a professional artist, to show works along with his this year.

“But this isn’t about me or the other artists,” he said. “It’s about Katie’s Kitchen and the food that can be provided by this event.

“It’s really neat to see the community come together to help people in need. It’s fun. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun,” Pugliese said.

The church hall also was open from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday to allow members of the public to visit to enter tickets in the basket raffle and view the artists' work on display.

From left, artists Mark Hall, Jon Pugliese and Paul Means attended the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. A portion of the sale of the artwork benefited the community meal program. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

From left, artists Mark Hall, Jon Pugliese and Paul Means share a moment during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. A portion of the sale of the artwork benefits the community dinner program. The event also featured basket raffles, 50/50 raffle and a quilt raffle. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Patrons enjoy the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. The fundraiser continued Sunday. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

People are seen through a frame set up for pictures Saturday, March 11, during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

People enjoy the art from three local artists during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler on Saturday, March 11. Featured here is an owl painting by Paul Means. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Volunteers stock the cookie table Saturday, March 11, during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. Justin Guido/ Butler Eagle

People peruse the art displayed among the baskets raffle Saturday, March 11, during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

A Pope Francis cardboard cutout greats people in the line for wine and beer Saturday, March 11, during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. The fundraiser had a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

An abstract painting by Jon Pugliese is offered for sale during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler on Saturday, March 11. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

People gather for a photo inside a frame Saturday, March 11, during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

Jim Cunningham plays trumpet as a painting of Diamond Park by Mark Hall is displayed Saturday, March 11, during the Community Meal Gala and Art Show at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Hall in Butler. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle