Barbecue Saturday to benefit Granite Shoals Christmas Outreach

The need is expected to be even greater this year, and area residents are urged to support the efforts of Christmas Outreach by stopping at the Granite Shoals Fire Hall, 8410 RR1431, Saturday for barbecue and baked goods. 

GRANITE SHOALS — In the Highland Lakes, where there is smoke there is likely to be barbecue, and that will be the case Saturday during a fundraiser to benefit the Granite Shoals Christmas Outreach.

Police Chief JP Wilson and his officers will fire up the pit to benefit the outreach, a local nonprofit group providing toys and other assistance to needy children during the Christmas season. 

The event will be noon-1:30 p.m. at the Granite Shoals Fire Hall, 8410 RR 1431 just west of Phillips Ranch Road.

“This is at least the fifth year we have helped with this event,” Wilson said. “There is a lot of need in our community at Christmas, and we are proud to help out however we can.”

The officers’ support has helped give the outreach a financial boost, organizers said.

“The support of the chief and his team has made this event one of our strongest fundraisers over the years,” said the Rev. Jackie English, president of Christmas Outreach. “The quality of the food is outstanding, and it is really a lot of fun to have the whole community come together to enjoy great food and support such an important cause.”

Tickets for the barbecue benefit are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 10. Advance tickets are available at the following Granite Shoals churches: First Baptist, Grace United Methodist and Christ Redeemer Fellowship. 

Tickets may also be purchased at Texas Country Bank, 8110 RR 1431 West.. 

English said guests can also pay at the door. In addition to the barbecue, Christmas Outreach is also sponsoring a bake sale on that day at the same location. 

Doors for the bake sale open at 9 a.m. Last year the outreach provided food and toys to about 450 Granite Shoals children. 

“The need in our area really is tremendous,” English said. “There are a lot of kids in Granite Shoals. Somewhere around a third of the total enrollment of the Marble Falls (Independent School District) lives in Granite Shoals, and a lot of these kids come from disadvantaged families. We expect to have an even bigger need this year, because the economy is so bad, and it has hit the families we serve very hard.”

In addition to the benefit barbecue and bake sale, the outreach will also be setting up donation stations at local businesses for people to drop off contributions of new toys. The outreach is also in need of plenty of volunteers to help with sorting, wrapping and distribution of toys and food starting Dec. 10.

“This is all pointing to our Santa’s Workshop, held at Grace United Methodist beginning at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10–13,” said English. “It takes us several days to organize and package all the toys and groceries we provide for these families. Then, on Saturday morning, Dec. 13, we distribute the gifts and food to the families who will come by the church to pick up their allotments. We need about 20-30 volunteers each day to handle the work load.”

English said the work is easy and the time commitment should be less than two hours.

For more, contact English at (830) 693-2620.

Courtesy photo