Nonprofit groups to feed the masses

September 12, 1997

By LAURA ERNDE

Staff Writer

The Conomac Lion's Club of Williamsport is prepared to make 4,000 country ham sandwiches for hungry re-enactors and spectators at the 135th Commemoration of the Battle of Antietam.

But that might not be enough, said Chairwoman Barbara Sterling.

"They tell me that's only a drop in the bucket. We may be dropped in the bucket," she said.

Eight Washington County nonprofit organizations are providing food for the event.

For the Conomac Lions, it could be the biggest fund-raiser ever.

Money raised will go back into the community for things like sending kids with diabetes to camp and buying coats for 1,700 Washington County youngsters.

Students at St. James School will help run the food booth to earn community service hours.

The Jaycees will have a snowball stand, the American Culinary Association will sell popcorn and the Williamsport Band Boosters will have a barbecue.

Some nonprofits are teaming up with restaurants.

Round the Square in Hagerstown partnered with the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites to sell drinks, muffins, cookies and other snacks.

At any one time, 400 cups of coffee will be brewing, along with 10 gallons of iced tea and 5 gallons of hot chocolate.

Restaurant owner Harry Grandinett plans to be so busy that he'll sleep under a table in the food tent Saturday night.

But no one really knows what to expect, they said.

"We're committed to this and after it's over they're going to commit us," Sterling said.

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