That’s a tall order for a lone chef, but it’s just another outing for the volunteers of Charitable Deeds and Services.

And they do it nearly once every month throughout Clarion County .

In February, more than 75 volunteers turned out Feb. 23 at St. Michael Church Hall in Fryburg to cook up and serve more than 700 spaghetti dinners to raise money for John Marchand of Paint Township .

Marchand fell from a roof on which was working last fall. The fall left Marchand unable to work for at least six months. Marchand has no workers compensation insurance and no other income. His expenses are expected to top $250,000 to $300,000.

John Kerle, president of Charitable Deeds and Services, said the dinner event raised more than $15,000 for Marchand, with more money pledged and yet to arrive.

It doesn’t add up…

A hearty spaghetti dinner could be had Feb. 23 for $6 and there was a steady stream of hungry customers from 4 p.m. past the scheduled end of the dinner at 7 p.m.

Charitable Deeds sold more than 700 dinners and even at the full adult price, that comes to more than $4,200 – a pretty good total for a three-hour dinner. So where did the more than $11,000 above the ticket sale total come from?

“A lot of people donate more than the ticket price,” Kerle explained as he watched people coming through the doors. “One guy just came in and dropped $100 in the jar after he bought his dinners. Another fellow dropped in a $50 bill. People just give.”

Early in the evening Kerle explained if the dinner produced at least $7,500, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans would add $2,500 to the total.

Thrivent Financial representative Beverly B. Hartzell was on hand with the check and Kerle was confident the dinner would raise more than $7,500.

“Members of this chapter have the opportunity to join together and the use the Care Abounds in Communities program,” said Hartzell as she was “volunteered” for greeting duties at the side door. “We’re very pleased to add to the impact (Charitable Deeds) has on community needs through fundraising and service activities.”

“We’ll get the Thrivent donation,” Kerle said as he greeted many of the people coming in the hall by their first names.

Adding to the dinner sale total were 50-50 ticket sales and revenue from raffle tickets for a Lincoln Navigator the charity will give away later this year.

And the cost of all that food served?

“That’s all covered by a private business,” said Kerle. “Every dollar raised here tonight will go to John Marchand. All of our expenses are covered by a private business.”

By the following Monday morning, Kerle was still totaling up the donations.

“We have at least $15,000 including the Thrivent donation,” said Kerle. “There are still pledges coming in. We’ll have more than $15,000 and it’s not too late for other folks if they would like to contribute.”

Kerle is always quick to credit the group’s volunteers and the community for their time and generosity, often reminding them their generosity will be returned “one hundred times over.”

Smooth operation

A Charitable Deeds and Service dinner doesn’t just happen. The work begins well before the doors open and continues after the last plate is served.

Dave Colgan of Leeper has cooked the spaghetti for 10 to 15 Charitable Deeds dinners.

“My first wife had Multiple Sclerosis for 30 years,” said Colgan. “During that time, we had a lot of experience with the big charities, and maybe I shouldn’t say it, but it sure seemed like the money went to the big CEOs and for buildings and cars.”

Colgan said he became discouraged with “the big charities.”

Colgan added, “You know, it just seems like most of the money raised for those big charities goes to administration.”

Colgan nodded toward Kerle as Kerle hustled past with a roaster filled with spaghetti sauce.

“That’s why I got involved with John,” said Colgan. “One-hundred percent of everything raised goes right back out to the people who need it.

“It’s really refreshing to see such an organization. I’ve never heard of another one like it. It’s just incredible what these folks do. I was so impressed with it and wanted to be a part of it. Now, I’m on the board of directors.”

Colgan was soon back over his pots of cooking spaghetti, assisted by Dave Patton of Knox, the two men would continue to cook the spaghetti until the supply was gone or the tables were empty of diners.

Colgan started his duties around noon that day.

“We tried cooking it on a “as you go” basis, but we would behind and that would have people waiting,” said Colgan with a wide smile and a laugh. “Believe me, you don’t want to get behind with a building full of hungry people.”

It didn’t take long for a steady line of customers to flow through the hall. Tickets were sold, donated desserts were picked up and Clarion County Sheriff William Peck III directed people to their tables.

Servers quickly asked which sauce the diners preferred. While the servers went for the spaghetti, another staff of volunteers brought a choice of drinks.

What might look like chaos is actually a well-planned seating method that produces new available seats in pace with incoming customers.

Dirty dishes are returned to the kitchen where they are quickly washed, dried and returned to service.

The volunteers range in age from 8-year-old Rachel Keth and her sister Leah, 13, daughters of Amy Keth of Shippenville, to the more senior volunteers who are “old enough to not have to tell” their age.

By 5 p.m. , the hall is fairly filled with people, but servers and cooks are quick to remind each other, “Just wait until church lets out.”

Before the church rush come the pre-church rush – those folks who want to “beat the church rush.” One rush melts into another and the hall is filled from about 5:30 through the reminder of the event.

‘Overwhelmed by it all..’

Throughout the evening Rosie Marchand, John’s mother, walked throughout the hall, talking to friends and acquaintances, all the while thanking them for coming to the event.

The dinner was held the at end of the first week John Marchand was able to begin to use crutches to move around.

“It’s been a very emotional week,” said Rosie Marchand. “John is coming here tonight and he wants to walk through the door on his crutches.”

Sometime between 5 and 5:30 p.m. , John Marchand arrived at the hall and did indeed walk in under his own power on his crutches.

The effort was exhausting for John Marchand and his family quickly had him back into his wheel chair. Because it happened so quickly and with no advance word, John Marchand’s arrival was missed by most of the people in the room, but friends, family and neighbors quickly made their way to John and offered encouraging words.

“I’m kind of overwhelmed by it all,” Rosie Marchand said as she watched the dinner activity and the people talking to her son. “This makes you realize how thankful you are living in such a great community as this.

“The kindness here – it’s just unbelievable.”

It just keeps going

Charitable Deeds and Services is a full-service organization which helps families in Clarion, Venango and Forest counties.

While some dinners are targeted fundraisers for individuals or families, Charitable deeds events also help organizations like the Pet Adoption and Welfare Society and local scout troops.

The organization has no paid employees.

Charitable Deeds and Services was launched in November 2002. Since then it has helped thousands of families with hundreds of thousands of dollars in assistance and goods.

Although there is almost no limit to who will be helped, Charitable Deeds keeps thorough records so it knows the assistance is truly going to people who need it. People normally receive assistance only once per year.

In addition, when a food donation is made it is in the form of food vouchers for Tom’s Riverside or other local grocers.

For more information about how to become a volunteer, make a donation or make a referral for someone who needs the help of Charitable Deeds, call 797-0286, or 221-9966.