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LARC Summer Feast carry-out fundraiser helps keep vulnerable population safe and engaged

Tickets available now for meal pick-ups on June 24, 25, and 26 at Serbian Social Center

by Melanie Jongsma

LANSING, Ill. (June 8, 2020) – LARC residents and staff are starting to emerge into public life again — they attended last week’s Fox Pointe concert, for example — but they are not quite ready yet to return to their traditional in-person fundraising events. Those events typically bring large crowds of people together in somewhat tight quarters, a prospect that is still potentially risky for the vulnerable population that LARC represents.

At a 2019 LARC event hosted by Serbian Social Center, Executive Director Ernie Gonzalez (standing) interacted with nearly 300 dinner guests. This year, the Summer Feast will be a carry-out fundraiser, to help protect clients and visitors. (Photo: LARC)

This month’s Summer Feast is a carry-out fundraiser designed to give community members a safe way to support LARC and enjoy a local meal.

LARC provides programs for over 100 clients who learn to work, live, and participate in their community, while making accommodations for their intellectual and developmental disabilities. Community members who participate in the Summer Feast will be supporting these programs and these clients.

The Serbian Social Center (18550 Stony Island Ave, Lansing) will host the event, and the meals will be prepared by Kaptur Events. The family-friendly menu includes entrees that range in price from $8.00 to $16.00:

  • Baked Chicken Dinner ($16.00)
    Half chicken, served with a baked potato, sour cream, and a roasted zucchini vegetable medley
  • Chicken Epicurean Dinner ($15.50)
    Double breast, served with a baked potato, sour cream, and a roasted zucchini vegetable medley
  • Stuffed Pork Chop Dinner ($15.50)
    Served with a baked potato, sour cream, and a roasted zucchini vegetable medley
  • Fried White Fish Dinner ($15.00)
    Served with a baked potato, sour cream, and a roasted zucchini vegetable medley
  • Italian Sausage & Peppers ($14.50)
    Served over penne pasta, and served with garlic bread
  • Penne Pasta Marinara ($13.00)
    Served with garlic bread
  • Chicken Strips ($8.00)
    Served with French fries

Tickets are being sold exclusively by LARC and are available now through Wednesday, June 23, at 4:00 PM. Participants can use the online menu to choose the Summer Feast meals they want and then pay directly online:

Meal pick-up times over the three-day event are from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the north door (kitchen entry) of the Serbian Social Center.

The Serbian Social Center is located at 18550 Stony Island Avenue in Lansing, Illinois. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

While the meals created by Kaptur are delicious and satisfying, LARC Development Director Jeff Gajewski emphasizes the additional benefit of purchasing the dinners as part of LARC’s Summer Feast: “The proceeds go directly to help create opportunities for people with developmental disabilities, so they can become confident, curious, productive members of their community,” he says.

Gajewski also encourages participation from people who are not local to Lansing. “The website allows people to make a donation even aside from purchasing a meal,” he says. “Or consider sponsoring a meal for one of our CILA homes or our hardworking staff. Anyone can call me directly, and I’ll be happy to help set that up. 708-474-1540.”

More information about the Summer Feast or about LARC in general is available from LARC:

Summer Feast
LARC is located at 19043 Wentworth Avenue in Lansing, Illinois. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

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Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.