When we were a volunteer organization, we begin having to raise money for even the most basic fire department needs, such as Scott Air Packs. Even supplying the department with dishes, cups and silverware, etc., we were asked to shop at a certain store that gave away these items when you made a purchase. The best fundraisers involved feeding people, and preparation for these events took place in the bay area of the hall, where we only had a little sink, small stove and a refrigerator.
At our first Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner, we spent an entire day making up the spaghetti sauce and meatballs, planning on a reasonable number of attendees. We underestimated (an understatement) how many meatballs we would need! So many people came that we ran out of meatballs. Luckily for us, Angie’s Pizza was next door and they supplied us with more meatballs, as did the truck stop in Landfall. We couldn’t even keep up with the dishes, so they set up a tub outside the back door and washed them in the tub. If some state inspector had stopped by, I am sure we would have been shut down immediately!
I have so many fun and fond memories of the department.
~ Pat Edlund
The following recipe was used for our first Spaghetti Dinner. This recipe is from Harry Southward (Angie’s Pizza):
Sauce
- 2 cups instant onion
- 3 cups oil
- 1 case #10 tomato paste
- 1 case #10 tomato puree
- 45 qts. canned tomatoes
- 9 1/2 cups sugar
- 6 cups salt
- 2-3 cups black pepper
- 4 boxes bay leaves
- 4 jars (3 oz. each) crushed oregano
- 1/2 – 1 jar (7 1/2 oz.) dried parsely
- water to thin
Saute’ onion and oil in a very large container. Add rest of ingredients. Simmer for several hours. Should fill 1 large and 3 small containers. Note: We feel that more than one container is necessary and ingredients adjusted to fit.
Meatballs (makes 2,500)
- 16 loaves dry bread
- 120 lbs. of hamburger
- 20 dozen eggs
- 20 lbs. graded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 jar (3 3/4 oz.) dried parsley
- 1/2 large jar garlic salt
- 2 jars (3 oz. each) crushed oregano
- 2 1/2 cups salt
Mix all ingredients. Roll into medium sized balls. Place on a cookie sheet and brown at 400 degrees until done. Add meatballs to sauce day or serving.
Noodles
- 120 lbs of uncooked spaghetti
Cook spaghetti as directed on package. Serve with sauce and meatballs. Yields 1,000 servings.
You will also need:
- Parmesan cheese for Spaghetti
- 100 (1 1/2 lbs) loaves French bread
- 20 lbs. of butter
- 3 1/2 gallons plus 352 (1/2 pints) milk
- 6 lbs. of coffee, as needed
- 1 qt. 1/2 and 1/2
