Local Flavor: An affordable lunch for a good cause

BIDDEFORD — Don’t feel like making lunch on Saturday, but don’t want to break the bank buying take out?  At the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 Summer Fundraiser Barbecue, held every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at 508 Elm St., you can get an affordable, fresh-made meal and help  support the organization’s important work. It’s a win-win.

The Vietnam Veterans of America is a national group that is dedicated to serving the needs of Vietnam veterans and helping to improve the circumstances of Vietnam veterans and their families. Nationwide, there are 685 chapters. The Biddeford chapter, with about 185 members, is the only chapter in Maine, said Joe Armstrong, a board member and former chapter president.

VVA Chapter 1044 provides financial assistance to local veterans in need, gives educational lectures and directs veterans to resources. It also has an honor guard that conducts ceremonies honoring the deceased at the time of burial and recognizing their status as a Vietnam veteran.

The organization does not receive any federal or state funds and relies on donations. One of the ways it makes money is through its Saturday lunch fundraisers, which have been a weekly tradition for many years.

The Saturday meals are presently only available through take out, but there are plans to set up tables for an outside eating area when the weather is warmer, said Armstrong.

Currently, they are serving up the Summer Fundraiser Barbecue menu through September. Offerings include hamburgers and cheeseburgers, chicken bombs and steak bombs, French fries and onion rings. Everything is freshly prepared by cook Jim Davis. Over time, the menu was expanded to include a variety of salads, and the cobb salad in particular has been quite a hit, said Armstrong.

Prices are intentionally kept at an affordable rate, and the majority of items on the summer barbecue menu are between $3.50 and $5.

“Come on down and get a good meal at a reasonable price,” said Davis.

 

From left, VVA Post 1044 lunch crew members Jim Davis, Dave Dionne, Conrad Letellier and Gerry Armstrong get ready for the lunch fundraiser on April 9. SBN STAFF/Liz Gotthelf

In the winter, the menu will change to feature soup and sandwiches and entrée specials like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.

“They are all homemade, not store bought,” said Davis.

“Jim makes an awesome loaded potato soup,” said Armstrong.

For more information on the Saturday lunch fundraiser, call 207-494-9287.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.