Meat in the Street is returning for a second year to bring two things locals love 鈥� barbecued meats, and raising money for a local Aldergrove charity.
Pulled pork sliders made by four professional barbecue pitmasters, live DJ, local beer, and lemonade are featured at the Saturday, June 22, fundraiser running from noon to 4 p.m. at the Aldergrove Plaza.
The fundraiser is all in aid of the Starfish Backpack program, run by Rotary and serving four Aldergrove schools, explained Emma Stewart, co-host of the event with Veronica Cave from Veronica's Gourmet Perogies.
"We had an overwhelming response last year [from] the community, so we are back for another year," Stewart commented.
Those backpacks are sent home weekly during the school year on Friday afternoons, to kids who may not be getting enough food at home. They鈥檙e packed with food that the kids, and their families, will benefit from.
Through a partnership with Meals on Wheels in Aldergrove, Starfish families can pick up their weekly packs during the summer break too, Stewart added.
Putting the packs together is a volunteer effort. Students at Aldergrove Community Secondary in the hairstyle program work with Rotary volunteers weekly to pack everything up.
The food comes from the Otter Co-op and Save-On-Foods, and buyer works to get the program good value every week.
It's not a cheap program, costing $60,000 to run in 2023, which is why Stewart and Cave joined forces to hold the Meat in the Street fundraiser to support the program.
The event runs rain or shine, and the Aldergrove Plaza will be fenced for the occasion, but entry is free. Spending $5 gets one slider and the right to vote on which barbecue pitmaster is making the best pulled pork for the day.
Aldergrove Plaza is located at 272 Street and Fraser Highway.
