Sisters of St. Joseph to host Spaghetti Dinner
SPAGHETTI DINNER
The annual Sisters of St. Joseph Spaghetti Dinner is set to return as a drive-thru event on Sunday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event was canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19. In 2021, the spaghetti dinner was turned into a drive-thru event because of ongoing COVID restrictions.
“This is one of our main fundraisers,” said Sister Jan McCormick. “We were sad that we had to cancel in 2020, but we created the drive-thru event last year and it was a success.”
McCormick said they served a little over 600 meals last year. “It really is a community effort,” McCormick said. “We began planning for this year probably the day after the last one ended. We'll have a staff of 20 sisters at the event this year helping people and directing traffic.”
The drive-thru event created a lot of logistical issues for the Motherhouse, and McCormick said they have learned and adapted to the challenges. “The preparation, the packaging, it was all a little different. We're better prepared. Last year people came from as far away as Manhattan.”
McCormick recalled one out-of-town family that called and said they couldn't make it, but they bought five meals and donated the money to the fundraiser. “They couldn't come last year, but they were going to have spaghetti at home and be there in spirit with us. Little stories like that make it worthwhile.”
The theme for 2022 is “Mexican Fiesta”, and the sisters promise vibrant decorations and music as people enter the Motherhouse drive. The menu remains the popular spaghetti, breadstick, and vegetable all made by the Motherhouse culinary staff, and an ice cream dessert.
There also will be a bake sale on the grounds with fresh items baked by the sisters.
The raffle ticket drawing will be held on Facebook Live at 1:30 p.m. on March 20. Raffle tickets are available for pre-purchase at the Motherhouse, Neighbor to Neighbor, and Manna House of Prayer. Those who live out of town can contact Assistant Development Director Ambria Gilliland at 785-243-2113 Ext. 1225, or email her at agilliland@csjkansas.org to reserve tickets. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
This year's raffle prizes include five cash prizes of $500, $250, $150, and two $100 prizes. There are also two tickets to the Kansas City Royals; a nostalgic popcorn maker, five restaurant gift cards, a handmade quilt by Sister Loretta Clare Flax, and a handmade crocheted alpaca by Sister Susan Stoeber. Raffle winners and auction winners need to be able to pick up their winnings in Concordia.
Along with the drive-thru event and raffle, a silent auction will be held online, “Last year we had 66 items in the auction,” McCormick said. “This year we have 120 items.”
The silent auction is hosted by Hansen Online Auctions of Beloit, Kansas. The auction items will be posted on their website and the auction will open for bids on March 14. Visit www.hansenonlineauction.com to bid. The online auction will close on March 19.
“We wish we could do this in person,” McCormick said. “We love to visit with people and give tours of the Motherhouse. It's our hope that we'll be able to do that next year.”
To attend this year's spaghetti dinner drive-thru event, contact the Motherhouse's Development Office at 243-2113 to purchase tickets by Friday, March 11.