BLOOMINGTON - The Rev. Ric Schneider walked down the aisle at St. Mary's Church on a Sunday in August passing out $100 bills. In the end, 180 people accepted the handout and took up Schneider's unique challenge to multiply what they were given for the benefit of the poor.

Schneider, who said the seed money came from parishioners able to kick in $1,000 or more, hoped to raise at least $50,000.

By mid-November, with some projects still under way, nearly $60,500 has been raised.

To Schneider, that's a pretty good return on the $18,000 he distributed at the Mass.

"St. Mary's parishioners are very generous," he said, adding that he helped prime their generosity by preaching about the Parable of the Talents, which encourages people to multiply their talents.

Dean Glesing is typical of those who took up the challenge.

"Father Ric challenged us to live the gospel," Glesing said.

Glesing and his wife, Sue, raised money by organizing a "Picnic in the Parking Lot" in which a clogging group and two musical groups performed.

Other fundraising events included a euchre tournament, motorcycle run, bake sale and car wash.

Among the more unique ways of raising money was discovered by Ann Ripsom, of Bloomington, who taped her $100 bill to a large jar in her home and offered visitors the opportunity to contribute, raising $1,000.

A family reunion in August brought a lot of people to Ripsom's home and gave her a flying head start on raising money.

Schneider touted the variety of fundraising activities and said the "More for the Poor" exercise has generated a lot of enthusiasm in the Bloomington parish.

"We need to reach out to those less fortunate," said Schneider, who said proceeds will go to an Appalachian mission. The money will be delivered in early December when all fundraising projects are completed and when the total raised might approach $70,000.

While those accepting the money had to figure out how to multiply what they'd received, other parishioners prayed for those raising money. Schneider said the entire congregation was involved either by raising money, praying for those raising money or buying products for sale.

Member David Nybakke said the approach to raising money for the poor "kind of set the parish on fire."

Nybakke and his wife, Ann Charback, a photographer, created artistic calendars and raised about $1,909.

Carlock resident Catherine Metsker was involved in a baking project with eight others who raised nearly $900.

"We baked 230 loaves of bread," Metsker said, adding that the bread was for sale at church Masses at $4 a loaf.

"When you walked into Mass you could smell it," she said, adding that the bread sold itself.

Metsker believes the unusual approach to fund raising could catch on with other churches and credits Schneider, who likes to use the catch phrase "action on Jackson" in relation to the West Jackson Street church, with providing the necessary inspiration and enthusiasm.

Schneider, however, doesn't think the successful fundraiser will start a trend. "It's just a crazy idea that I had that worked," Schneider said.

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Growing money

Some examples of ways that parishioners of St. Mary's, on West Jackson Street in Bloomington, raised money for the poor:

• Aerating lawns

• Garage sale

• Ceramic Christmas plates

• Wine and cheese party

• Motorcycle run

• T-shirt sales

• Bake sales

• Artistic calendar sales

• Parking lot bash

• Car wash

• Euchre tournament