Orland firefighters' spaghetti feed Saturday

The 55th annual Orland Volunteer Fire Department Spaghetti Feed is happening Saturday until 8 p.m.

The meals, available to eat in or take out, include a plate of spaghetti, salad and garlic bread. Hors d’ouvres also are available. Coffee, water and 750 half-pints of milk will be served as well.

The fundraiser also includes a raffle and a cake auction, according to event chairman Roy Jones.

Among the raffle prizes are a propane barbecue, a tool set, a television, gift certificates and other items from local merchants, he said.

The cake auction is “the most fun part of the day,” Jones said. Firefighter’s wives, girlfriends and others “make some really cool cakes, like fire engines and fire hats.”

He said people buy the cakes as a way of donating to the department. Some of the cakes go for hundreds of dollars, Jones said.

Firefighters and their families will start cooking the sauce Friday evening, Jones said.

The sauce includes 500 pounds of beef and 150 pounds of sausage; that goes on top of 500 pounds of spaghetti. The beef was donated by Leo Martin Dairy and ground by Joe Hansen as their way of contributing to the cause, Jones said.

The whole department, their wives, girlfriends, children and others will help serve about 2,000 spaghetti dinners, Jones anticipated.

“Usually, there aren’t many leftovers,” he said. But uncooked noodles get donated to the schools, if any are left.

Proceeds from the annual fundraiser go toward the purchase safety equipment, rescue equipment and supplies and gear for the all-volunteer unit, which serves the city of Orland and rural northern Glenn County

Two years ago, the department purchased new Jaws of Life for its rescue truck, and last year proceeds paid for a device that keeps fire hoses afloat when they have to be stretched across water.

Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and will be sold all day. People need not be present to win. The cake auction will be in the evening.
The cost is by donation only.

KNOW AND GO
What: Orland Volunteer Fire Department Spaghetti Feed
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Fire Hall, 810 Fifth St.
Cost: Donations