Approximately 12,000 children across the Show-Me State are currently in foster care. Several thousand of them are served by the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association (CMFCAA), which covers 24 mid-Missouri counties.
The CMFCAA is holding their second annual backyard BBQ bash today from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Jefferson City’s Millbottom, which is near the Statehouse. Association spokesman Gerry Tritz says Steele’s Fine Custom Meats is donating the pork steaks.
“MFA Oil cooks the pork steaks to perfection for us. We have the ladies at Trinity Lutheran Church always make us dishes of cheesy potatoes and they graciously donate those to us,” Mr. Tritz says.
Mr. Tritz says the organization provides training, housing and furniture to mid-Missouri foster children and families, at no cost. Mr. Tritz tells 939 the Eagle they also provide free backpacks to foster children, who often only have the clothes they’re wearing:
“And so we give them a backpack that provides them with some essential items. Clothing and you know hygiene things and you know we add a little toy in there for them, things like that,” says Tritz.
The cost of this evening’s fundraiser is $30, which includes event admission and one meal and drink. The La Plata-based band “Boot Cut” will perform live music. Mr. Tritz notes tonight’s fundraiser benefits the organization’s critical mission to assist vulnerable foster children and families.