By Keysha Drexel
Journal editor
The Homewood Library Foundation is going for the whole hog in its efforts to make sure the programs at the library continue to serve Homewood residents.
The foundation is hosting a block party and pig roast fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 16 in the parking lot of the Homewood Public Library on Oxmoor Road.
“One of our board members suggested a pig roast as a fundraiser, and we thought it was a novel idea that would likely attract a lot of people,” said Fran Jones, a member of the foundation’s board of directors. “In our area, we’ve had chili cook-off fundraisers and wing festivals, but no one has really done a pig roast as a fundraiser.”
The event next weekend will include live music from a local band and fun activities for all ages. But the centerpiece, Jones said, will be the pig roast.
“The pig roast meal is being done by Little Donkey restaurant,” Jones said. “I’ve been to a smaller scale pig roast they did, and the food is just fantastic.”
If party-goers are hungry for more after the pig roast, they can sample fare from several local food trucks that will be on hand for the block party.
Jones said the idea of having a block party with the pig roast came about because of the foundation’s mission to include the entire community in the missions and programs of the Homewood Public Library.
“We wanted an event that would include the whole community, all of the ages that we serve at the library every day,” she said. “The block party is going to have something cool for everyone to enjoy.”
Jones said it is fitting that the community will come together for the event at the library.
“The library is the heart of the community in many ways, and we want it to continue to function as the cultural center of our community,” she said. “That’s why fundraisers like the block party and pig roast are so important.”
The fundraiser will help the library continue to grow and offer more services to its patrons, Jones said.
To better serve the Homewood community, Jones said, plans are in the works to expand the library’s offerings to students.
“We want to grow in that direction and accommodate the students with study rooms and computers on the main floor,” she said.
Not only does the Homewood Public Library offer patrons thousands of books, e-books, CDs and movies, it also provides a place for different organizations to meet, Jones said.
“Our meeting facilities are constantly booked, and the library also offers space for live music performances and dinner theater and that kind of thing,” Jones said. “What the library does for the community goes far beyond checking out books.”
Tickets to the block party and pig roast are $20 and must be bought in advance at the library. For more information, visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 332-6600.
