After a year off due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Pumpkin Organization of Rindge, or P.O.O.R., returns Saturday with its annual meat raffle in support of town organizations and charities.
“We haven’t done any meat raffles since COVID,” said P.O.O.R. Treasurer Carol Donovan. “This is our first one, and we’re starting all over.”
Starting over included finding a new supplier for the cuts of meat that make up the annual raffle, Donovan said, and a slightly smaller selection this year. But she said most aspects of the event are as people remember.
The raffle, held at the VFW hall in Jaffrey starting at 1 p.m., includes many prizes, and potential winners can attend throughout the afternoon for any of several drawings that will take place throughout the day.
A table full of meat or seafood is laid out, and ticket-sellers disperse into the crowd to sell raffle tickets. Once everyone who wants one has a ticket in hand, a ticket is drawn and the winner gets the first pick of a cut off the table. Tickets continue to be drawn until all the cuts have been selected. Then a new table is set up, and a fresh round of tickets is sold, until all the meat has been raffled off.
Donovan said the raffle is a major fundraiser for P.O.O.R.; pre-COVID, its last raffle raised $15,000 after expenses, which was distributed to local organizations and charities.
This year, the Rindge Veterans Association is assisting with the raffle and will receive $400 worth of the proceeds, with the remainder to various causes yet to be determined.
The raffle is scheduled to continue until the last ticket is drawn, at about 6 p.m.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.