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It isn’t getting any cheaper to feed a family – whether that’s a two-person household or a household full of kids, friends, parents, and grandparents. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to get a meal from local nonprofit organizations that use food-centered fundraisers as a way to support the community at large. While the focus of these events is usually on the worthy causes that they benefit, locals can also look to these events as a way to get an affordable, hot, homemade meal during times of economic hardship. This story highlights just a few of these opportunities across Caroline County.
For a more complete list of “foodie fundraisers,” be sure to peruse the Community Calendar online or in the Caroline Review magazine.
Burrsville Ruritan Club – Bar-B-Q Chicken
The Burrsville Ruritan Club, located outside of Denton at 1 Ruritan Road, Burrsville, has long had a Chicken Bar-B-Q dinner fundraiser on the second Saturday of each month from April to October. The dinners cost $12 each, cash or check, for half a chicken, corn on the cob, chips, a roll, and a drink (plenty to split!).
George Bradley, co-chair of the Burrsville Ruritans, says, "We get the charcoal lit by 7:00 a.m., husk the corn, and bake the rolls. It is a two-day process, and we have over 25 volunteers” helping. They usually sell over 300 meals and offer drive-thru or take-out. They sell the barbeque sauce that they use, but don’t ask for the recipe – it is a secret!
The dinners raise money for local clubs or initiatives like 4-H, Special Olympics, scholarships, help for developmentally challenged individuals, and "wherever we see a need in our community," said Bradley.
Community Civic League – Breakfast
The Community Civic League’s monthly breakfast draws a regular crowd of hungry guests and loyal volunteers. Held in a historic building that once served as a schoolhouse and daycare, the breakfast includes scrapple, sausage, eggs, potatoes, applesauce, a biscuit, juice, and coffee for just $9. The League is located at 3439 Laurel Grove Road, Federalsburg. Those who attended the former school or daycare can even get their breakfast for free! To assist with the transportation barrier, the League offers local delivery. This fundraiser is held every first Saturday of the month except for April and July.
Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department – Monthly Dinners
The Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department hosts many food fundraisers and is known for its monthly “All You Can Eat” Spaghetti Dinner. Held at the Ridgely firehouse on the first Thursday of the month, $11 buys a spaghetti dinner, salad, garlic bread, dessert, and a drink. Take-out and drive-thru options are available, and the department accepts payment by Venmo or cash.
Nothing beats the department’s Chicken and Dumpling dinners, which include mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, applesauce, a roll, and their “famous” chicken salad. At $15 a meal, they can get up to 200 people for the Chicken and Dumpling dinners, which are held twice a year. Fundraising Chair Tammy Taylor says, "We have people lined up for our Chicken and Dumplings.”
They also have sub sales and barbecues throughout the year. Taylor says, "It takes 7 to 15 volunteers to prepare the meals. All the money raised goes towards fire department gear upkeep, fire apparatus, and building maintenance."
Aaron's Place – Soup Kitchen
“Help is Here.” And by here, we mean Aaron’s Place on Aldersgate Drive in Denton, where volunteers serve hot, homemade soup with a smile every Tuesday from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm. Aaron’s Place hosts a slew of food pantries and other community resources that are free and open to the public, fulfilling their goal to “strengthen families and communities.” This is the perfect opportunity for a free and nutritious lunch for anyone who may need it. And don’t worry, there’s no strings attached, everyone is welcome. It’s also a great place to socialize and connect with those who can offer more assistance. Anyone with questions is encouraged to call Cheryl Beulah at 443-243-5906.
American Legion Post Caroline Post 29 – Something Just About Every Night
Post 29 on Legion Road in Denton regularly has dinners available. The volunteer-prepared menu on Wednesday and Friday nights varies from lighter selections of sandwiches and chips to home-style meals like meatloaf. Meals cost as little as $5 to around $13, depending on the fare. The Post has table-served breakfast on the second Sunday of the month for $10. The group also hosts chicken barbecues and fish fries on occasion.
Legion bartender Nicole Gondeck says, "We sell from 25 to 30 dinners on Wednesday nights and 75 to 100 dinners on Friday nights. We are expecting 200 people at our Fish Fry dinner!" Meals can be enjoyed inside or with carry-out. You may want to stick around as there’s almost always something going on – from live entertainment to karaoke to classic cars on Wings and Wheels Wednesdays!
Gains Chairman Jim Howeth says the dinners are prepared by as many as 15 to 20 volunteers for the large events. The meals are just one way that Post 29 raises approximately $100,000 each year to support local nonprofits.
Eternal Life Ministries – Fish fries, Crab Cakes, and more!
Eternal Life Ministries in Denton specializes in using food to bring people together and raise money. In addition to hosting frequent community picnics, prayer breakfasts, and other food-centered occasions, they serve up fresh Fish Dinners from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm every second Saturday. You can also usually find them at local events with Eastern Shore delicacies (think crab cakes) on sale.
Keeping with the seafood theme, Eternal Life also has an annual community Crab Feast, which is coming up on September 27. The cost of this meal is obviously much steeper than the others on this list - $50 - but the funds go to the same worthy causes. This meal includes everything from crabs to burgers, hot dogs, and chicken, with a hearty list of sides of course.
Warm-Weather Events – Keep it Local!
Unlike large state fairs and amusement parks, the concession booths at Caroline County’s warm-weather gatherings are usually not for profit and reasonably priced. Summerfest and the Caroline-Dorchester County Fair, for example, are places that promise a mouthwatering selection of eats from vendors working to raise money or one cause or another.
