The Cookie Express is returning to First Christian Church this Saturday from 8:30 to 2 p.m. Featuring a delightful assortment of homemade cookies baked by members of the church, the event serves as one of FCC’s biggest fundraisers of the year.

As they enter the sales area, customers are given a box or boxes and plastic, food-service gloves with which to grab cookies and other goodies. The boxes are weighed as customers leave, with the price for items at $8 a pound for homemade cookies.

Other popular favorites include the church’s peanut brittle, available for $6.50 per container and a variety of cheese straws, on sale for $10 per container. Four types of cheese straws will be featured at the event this year.

“We have so many things,” said organizer Brenda Mitchell, “We have cakes, we have pies, we have candy. It’s just amazing.”

Mitchell, along with Miriam “The Gingerbread Lady” Roberson, are the chief organizers of the annual event, but both are quick to point out that many church members help organize and serve as volunteer workers aboard the Cookie Express. Mitchell said the church hopes to net $8,000 after expenses this year, all of which will help local nonprofits.

The Cookie Express Café, featuring Clyde Roberson’s World-Famous Clam Chowder, will also return this year to provide lunch for customers and others. The café will also offer soups, sandwiches and other lunchtime goodies. Hot cocoa and yeast cinnamon rolls will be served at 8:30 a.m. for a small charge.