September 14, 2009

0 Comments

FUMC's Annual Chicken Barbecue
Reaches Out to Community

Fairwood United Methodist Church (FUMC) opened its doors, or in this case, barbecue, to the greater Fairwood Community with its 24th annual Chicken Barbecue this past Saturday.

The men's group at FUMC assembles a 30-foot-long barbecue to grill 2,000 pounds of chicken with special secret sauce and 260 ears of corn for hungry neighbors.

The annual tradition dates back to 1977, when the Fairwood of today was not as it is. According to Dick Matthais, alder was collected for the barbecue from wood gathered on land being developed just southeast of The Firs. Planning for the first event included digging the huge barbecue pit, cinder blocks collected and grills were fabricated.

The church's multi-purpose room is set up for diners, and additional volunteers meet, greet, and serve the neighbors. The heritage of great community barbecues often includes a secret special barbecue sauce, and the FMUC also has a secret signature sauce. The sauce was developed long ago by Helen Schroeder. Alder-cooked corn on the cob is also a highlight for diners.

After the diners trickle out and the children's big toy is deflated, volunteers ensure that nothing remaining is allowed to go to waste. Leftovers are sold at a bargain, half price, on Sunday to members after church. What, if anything, is left after that sale goes to local charities such as food for the homeless.