BBQ Competition & Fest to benefit Maine Township Food Pantry

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The four founders of Vine St BBQ Competition & Fest, www.facebook.com/VineStBBQ, from left Joe Kontuly, Jamie Rubin, Jamie Rafferty and Brian Chaplin showcase one of the trophies awarded at last year’s competition. Photo credited to Diana Colleran Photography.

The 2018 Vine St BBQ Competition & Fest, www.facebook.com/VineStBBQ, which is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18, from noon to 10 p.m. in Hodges Park in Park Ridge will benefit the Maine Township Food Pantry as well as Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Avenues to Independence.

Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the competition will feature 40 teams that will compete for top honors in best ribs, best chicken, best dish and best sauce. In addition to great food, the event will also feature music and a kids’ zone with bounce houses and other activities. Volunteers are key to the success of this event so please inquire via email at info@vinestbbq.org if you can assist.

According to Carol Langan, Director of the Maine Township Food Pantry, benefit donations like these are crucial to help sustain supplies. “We are always in need of funds to stock our pantry with staples that help to feed hungry families in the area.” The food pantry welcomes donations and is especially in need of the following items: macaroni & cheese; cereal; juice, juice boxes and powdered drink mixes; canned tuna, chicken and salmon; plain rice; canned fruit; applesauce; crackers and instant potatoes.

Also peanut butter; jelly; biscuit mix; pancake mix; syrup; canned pasta meals and boxed meals; cake, cookie and brownie mixes, pudding mix; cookies; frosting; ketchup; mayonnaise; coffee, tea and hot cocoa; cooking supplies including flour, sugar, oil, salt and pepper; cleaning products including laundry soap and dish soap; paper products including paper towels, toilet paper and facial tissue; aluminum foil and plastic wrap; personal hygiene products including shampoo, toothpaste and bath soap.

Langan noted that no bread is needed since that comes in on a regular basis and asked that donations be limited to normal size cans, boxes of rice and potatoes. The food pantry supplies 150 boxes of food every month, which go towards feeding over 300 individuals. Each box is hand packed by township staff and volunteers with dozens of non-perishable food items to help supplement the needs of township residents in distress.

“The Vine St BBQ Community Outreach NFP is one of the many local organizations which raise funds to keep the food pantry stocked throughout the year,” said Township Supervisor Laura Morask. “We are honored to be a recipient again this year.”

Monetary or food donations may be dropped off Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge. Donations may also be mailed to that address. For more information about the food pantry, go to http://mainetown.com/departments/food-pantry/ or call 847-297-2510.