Meals on Wheels Rowan will sell barbecue provided by College BBQ in a fundraiser at First Presbyterian Church on March 13.

This is the first year that customers will be able to buy a plate for themselves and provide a meal during March for a Meals on Wheels client. The effort is called “Each One Feed One.”

Anyone can buy a barbecue plate for $9, but a $15 ticket will include a barbecue plate and a meal for someone who doesn’t have the financial resources to pay for meals.

Customers can join lunch or dinner patrons at the church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. The meal includes barbecue, baked beans, slaw, a bun and a choice of homemade desserts.

Takeout is available inside. Drive-through pick-up is available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Jackson Street side of the church.

Free delivery is available for any order of five or more plates. Delivery orders should be placed by today.

New this year are two satellite pick-up locations. Presold orders can be picked up at Mount Zion United Church of Christ in China Grove or Christiana Lutheran Church in Rockwell from 4 to 6 p.m. When ordering, note the preferred pick-up location.

To buy tickets or reserve barbecue plates, contact the Meals on Wheels office at 704-633-0352 or email info@mowrowan.org. Tickets can also be bought online at www.mowrowan.org.

Volunteers are still needed for the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. shift and the 4-7 p.m. shift at First Presbyterian. Volunteers will serve plates and deliver orders for lunch and dinner. Homemade dessert donations are welcome.

To donate a dessert or volunteer, contact Rose Jones at the Meals on Wheels office, 704-633-0352.

“Last year was our most successful BBQ fundraiser ever,” said barbecue chairman Kevin Pruitt. “The proceeds paid for 1,119 meals for participants, out of the over 50,000 meals that we serve each year. We hope to double our sales this year. Our goal is to raise enough money to provide 2,250 meals for participants who cannot afford to pay the full cost of the meal program.”

Board President Connie Basinger added, “Many people don’t know that every Meals on Wheels participant is asked to contribute to the cost of the meal program. We use a sliding scale that considers income and necessary expenses. Approximately 50 to 60 of our participants receive meals at no cost because they do not have the financial resources to pay. All other participants out of the 220 that we serve each Monday through Friday pay from 15 percent to 100 percent of the full meal program cost.”

The annual barbecue sale is part of the “March for Meals” national Meals on Wheels promotion. Throughout March, local sponsors and restaurants will support and promote Meals on Wheels Rowan. Several area restaurants will host “Give Back” days when they will donate a portion of their proceeds to Meals on Wheels Rowan.

For updates, like Meals on Wheels Rowan on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Meals on Wheels Rowan is a Rowan County United Way member agency.