It’s pretty easy to help feed the hungry in Odessa – you can do it by having a good meal yourself.
The 20th Mudbug is set for Tuesday this year on the grounds at Ector County Coliseum, where Meals on Wheels of Odessa will look to raise a sizable chunk of its income for the year.
The event features a Cajun buffet with crawfish, shrimp and more, and live and silent auctions geared to raise money for the organization.
As in years past, Meals on Wheels of Odessa will look to raise more than $100,000 on that night, to help push the organization forward across the calendar.
“It’s important,” Executive Director Margaret Burton said. “We only have one fundraiser. We’re unique.”
Organization officials pointed to U.S. Census data listing 14,472 people aged over 65 living in Ector County in 2016, with 16.3-percent of those bringing in income at 125-percent of the poverty level or lower.
Meals on Wheels of Odessa delivers more than 550 meals every weekday using dozens of daily volunteers.
Burton pointed to several essential pillars that all work together and help prop up the organization. There are grants, first, from places like the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, or the United Way. Then there’s the organization’s annual contract with ORMC to provide main-course meals. There are, of course, the volunteers on the ground.
But in one night, the Mudbug is another one of those supporting factors, like a leg under a table.
“If you cut one off, you’re lopsided,” Burton said with a laugh.
- What: 20th Mudbug fundraiser
- When: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
- Where: Barn G at the Ector County Coliseum, 4201 Andrews Highway.
- What else: Mudbugs, shrimp, catfish and all the trimmings will be served. Activities include live and silent auctions and live entertainment. Cash bar will be available.
- Tickets: Call 432-333-6451.
