5Bs BBQ Fundraiser To Raise Money For Holiday Meals, Gifts

Oswego IL

14 September, 2021

1:45 PM

Description

OSWEGO, IL — These last two years likely haven't been the easiest for most, and the holiday season might provide some extra joy during these times. To help families part of Oswego District 308, Community Cares is raising money for The Christmas Project, which will help provide meals and gifts for families this December. In preparation for the project, the local organization is hosting a 5Bs BBQ Fundraiser Oct. 25. For $15, people can purchase meals from three meal options — two pork chops, a half chicken or a combination of the two. Included in the price are also three sides: coleslaw, baked beans and apple sauce, along with a roll. 5B's Catering Service will bring wagon grills to the event, set up in the parking lot and grill the food there. To order, those interested can follow this link and make their selections before 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 24. Participants also have the option to make donations. A $50 donation pays for a holiday meal — which includes turkey, dressing, potatoes and vegetables, plus cereal for Christmas morning — for a family, while a $75 donation pays for gifts for one child. The meals will be picked up in a contactless fashion at the District 308 Center, 61 Franklin St. From 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25, volunteers will drop meals off in people's cars at the location. Community Cares works with the school district to identify families, who then fill out a wishlist of things they want and need. Organizers then match up families with those who will sponsor gifts. Robyn Vickers, the founder of Community Cares, told Patch that information about the wishlists is expected to be released ahead of Thanksgiving to give people the opportunity to shop Black Friday sales. "We anticipate the need will be greater this year," she said. Community Cares took over from the no-longer-operating Optimists of Oswego who started The Christmas Project 36 years ago. The former chairs from the Optimists group are still working with Community Cares to facilitate the project, Vickers said. "It grew as the community grew and it became a community-wide thing," Vickers said of the project. Whereas in years past gifts went to kids up to 8th grade, Community Cares is expanding the program to buy presents for high schoolers as well. More details will be announced on Community Cares' Facebook page as the date nears. Those who wish to pay for their meals using cash or check can email Community Cares, at [email protected], and have their tickets delivered. (For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Oswego Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!)