Many (purple) hands make light work

Wild-growing muscadine grapes have been harvested, processed and canned by volunteers working with the More Than Me project.

Now they’ve got 1,000 jars of muscadine grape jelly for sale. Proceeds will go toward construction at the Christian-based More Than Me Youth Ranch in Hood County.

“We had lots of volunteers who made this happen,” said spokeswoman Terry McNew, a volunteer with the project.

The MTM Youth Ranch is located on a 56-acre property donated to the nonprofit group by Garry Luker. The ranch is at the end of Milton Court, off Contrary Creek Road.

Bob and Margaret King first developed the idea for a youth ranch about 20 years ago. The idea continued to develop through the years at a men’s prayer breakfast.

Fencing and a gate are complete. Construction of a large activities building is next.

“This is a dream in the making, and we are getter closer. The goal at MTM is to mentor young people to have a ‘more than me’ attitude,” McNew said.

GATHERING OF GRAPES

The grape jelly project comes after a barbecue dinner fund-raiser in May. Catfish dinners and Mexican food feasts have also been a part of the fundraising efforts.

McNew said the muscadine grapes grow wild at various locations across the county, including the Black Ranch where many were picked.

“Now that I know what they are, I see them everywhere,” she said.

It’s the first year for the muscadine grape project, and the jelly turned out wonderful, she said. Youth volunteers with MTM cooked the grapes and strained them.

“It was a very precise procedure. The pectin and sugar was carefully measured and the grapes were boiled for the exact time required to make jelly,” Mc-New explained.

JARS OF JELLY FOR SALE

The pints of muscadine jelly can be purchased for $10 at the Country Store, near Mark Spas and Furniture, 6620 Glen Rose Highway. Volunteers are also out and about selling the jelly.

McNew said she sold several jars of jelly at a tasting break for biscuits and jelly at Brazos River Baptist Church last Sunday. She also sold jelly to friends in a water aerobics class.

You can call McNew for more information about the purchase of jelly – and possible delivery. She is also available for motivational talks about the More Than Me Youth Ranch.

You can contact her at 817-408-5533.

For more information about MTM, check the website at www.mtmyouthclub.com.

dschneider@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 255