Tar River Office has first Oktoberfest with: Beers, Brats, and Bingo!
As the fall festive weather blew into North Carolina, Catholic Charities brought seasonal cheer and purpose to the Tar River region. On Saturday, October 11, the Tar River Regional office celebrated their very first Oktoberfest: Beers, Brats, and Bingo, a fundraising event that combined celebration with service. More than 140 patrons gathered at St. Peter’s Spiritual Life Center in Greenville, raising over $23,500 in support of local food pantry services. The evening was filled with a palpable sense of joy and hope as the community came together to fight food insecurity.
Oktoberfest came to life thanks to the creativity and dedication of the Tar River Resource Committee. From recruiting the county’s most spirited bartenders to enlisting youth volunteers from the John Paul II High School, the resource committee ensured the evening ran smoothly. The venue was transformed with festive ivy, twinkling lights, and frosty pint-themed signage that welcomed guests as they arrived.
Former board member and Tar River Resource Committee chair Mark Dellasega brought the evening to life as emcee, keeping the crowd energized from the first welcome to the final bingo call. Deacon Art Schneider then opened the celebration with a heartfelt blessing, reminding everyone that “God loves a cheerful giver,” a fitting reflection for a night overflowing with joy and generosity.
During the program, Lisa Perkins, Catholic Charities CEO, highlighted what made the evening such a special occasion. “This event is about more than beers, brats, and bingo. It is about rising together as a community to address the very real challenge of hunger here in the Tar River Region. Your presence here today sends a powerful message: that we can create hope and opportunity when we come together.”
After guests enjoyed a hearty meal while traditional German music filled the air, Tar River Regional Director Liz McDowell addressed the crowd, reflecting on the challenges facing local food pantries. “Changes in federal programs, reduced food disbursements from partners, and the end of the Healthy Opportunities Pilot, have made this work even more difficult,” she said. “But what I know about Catholic Charities is that we never shy away from a challenge, not during a natural disaster, not during a global pandemic, not now.” Her remarks underscored the urgency behind the event and the resilience of the organization.
As the evening wound down, Office Manager Maria Bick and longtime volunteer Margie Dellasega shared a heartfelt speech about the origins of the Tar River Food Pantry and its evolution. Their words set the tone for a hopeful close to the night, just before the crowd turned its attention to the final event: bingo. With curated prize bags and a lively bingo caller, four lucky Oktoberfest guests left with prizes, while all guests returned home with full stomachs and memories of a night rooted in generosity. Oktoberfest was more than a fundraiser; it was a celebration of community spirit and shared responsibility.