CPO’s 14th Annual Pig Pickin: Pig Décor, Bluegrass, & Real Good Food
Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
Catholic Parish Outreach (CPO) is a place that welcomes and serves our neighbors
in need four days a week, year after year. They share a space with our Immigration Legal Services as well as the Centro para Familias Hispanas (CpFH) program, and every so often they are a magnificent third space for the community to gather over a roasted pig. What started 14 years ago as an opportunity to show folks the inner engine of the fine-tuned machine that CPO is, has turned into a full-on fest in its teenage years.
On Saturday, April 11th, 2025, CPO opened its doors for this year’s 14th Annual Pig Pickin’ event, with all proceeds going towards sustaining CPO’s tremendous efforts towards nourishing our neighbors in need. This year’s event had a strong turnout, with CPO selling 378 tickets. Guests were so excited they began lining up before the event started, and were greeted by Food Pantry Program Director Kelly Rappl warmly welcoming in the crowd. From there, guests were treated to an adorable pig-themed interior, and had to pass by the Bake Sale table, where CPO Food Pantry Volunteer Coordinator Darcy Hull could be heard enticing guests in with, “Don’t forget to get your dessert before your dinner!” And right she was, the elaborately decorated bake sale table had a variety of sweet treats handmade by volunteers. Rumor has it, the apple and pecan pies were the first to go.
Once guests loaded up with their sweet treat of choice, all they had to do was follow the pig hoof prints placed throughout the warehouse to get their plates, served by the gracious hands of volunteers and members of the Cathedral Knights of Columbus Council #2546 Fr. Thomas Price. Guests then assembled a plate with everyone’s favorite fixings—hush puppies, baked beans, slaw—and finally received pork smothered in a sauce of their choosing. While they chowed down, they tapped their feet to the tunes of the Grass Street’s band and mingled with fellow CPO supporters. Special thanks to Chefs Ed Richardson, Clyde Dennis and Steve Bushold who stepped in when Chef Chris Weir was unable to be at the event due to a family matter.
In total, the 14th Pig Pickin’ raised over $35,000 to support CPO’s food pantry operations, which continue to meet growing needs in the community. Looking ahead to next year, organizers aim to build on this momentum. Rappl credits the community’s big-hearted spirit and their trust in Catholic Charities as the reliable partner that helps their donations reach those who need it most.
Family Care Coordinator Myra Bradley, who has been at every Pig Pickin’ since its conception, shared about how there are plenty of loyal attendees who have also been coming since the event started 14 years ago.
“I would describe the atmosphere as…just fun! My role as ticket collector means I get to welcome all the people and see everyone year after year, familiar and new faces alike, everybody’s hungry for the pig!”
The Pig Pickin’ and similar events bring supporters together in a unique way to champion CPO’s mission. They remind everyone that sharing food and working side by side strengthens our community’s ability to meet basic needs, extend help, spark hope, and serve all. As the evening winded down, and all the pig was gone, all those CPO invited in trickled out with full bellies, and hopefully, fuller hearts. We hope to see you next year, at the 15th Annual Pig Pickin’!