BBQ Competition & Fest to benefit Maine Township Food Pantry

The 2019 Vine St BBQ Competition & Fest which is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24, from noon to 10 p.m. in Hodges Park in Park Ridge will benefit the Maine Township Food Pantry as well as Avenues to Independence, Project Purple, and The Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital via the Junior Board of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the competition will feature 41 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.

“We are gratified by the support we have received from the Vine St BBQ Community Outreach NFP over the past several years. It 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.”

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.

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.

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 www.mainetown.com or call 847-297-2510.