Swedish Meatballs are considered the national dish of Sweden.
The tasty meatballs are also the cuisine that’s going to help hundreds of Iron Range cancer patients and those facing life-limiting illnesses.
Care Partners, the Eveleth-based non-profit that provides financial assistance to area cancer patients and those with life-limiting illnesses, is cooking up its annual Swedish Meatball Dinner fundraiser.
“The Iron Range is a big family and a person shouldn’t have to face these types of burdens alone,” Tasia Hoag, Care Partners executive director said. “This is a chance for the community to get together and support each other.”
From 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 30., the Swedish Meatball Dinner takes place in the Commons area at Rock Ridge High School.
The Commons area is directly inside the front doors of the school.
Carryout and curbside services are also available.
It’s the second straight year that the dinner is at Rock Ridge High School after a successful first year, Hoag said.
“It really worked out very well,” Hoag said. “And it worked well for our curbside pickup and everything else.”
There’s also a new twist on the homemade dinner this year.
Rock Ridge High School culinary students are teaming up with Care Partners to help prepare the dinner.
The culinary class will make mashed potatoes for the dinner along with desserts, Hoag said.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have them this year,” Hoag said. “They will focus on mashed potatoes from beginning to end and they will also feature a couple of their desserts.”
Jade Andrie, Rock Ridge culinary instructor, said about 36 10th through 12th grade culinary students will be involved in the event.
“I think it’s pretty exciting that they get to be a part of community events that they wouldn’t normally be involved in,” Andrie said. “I think it will be a lot of fun and we will be able to fit it in with our curriculum as well.”
It’s the 15th year of the dinner, Hoag said.
Generally, about 500 people take part in the event, Hoag said.
The dinner is $15 per person.
Meatballs for takeout or curbside delivery either with or without gravy are $15 a dozen, Hoag said.
Children under five are free.
“We find people take them home and freeze them,” Hoag said. “And we have some deer hunters who really like them.”
The need to support cancer patients, those with life-limiting illnesses and their families, is always there, Hoag said.
“The types of cancer changes year after year,” Hoag said. “It’s always surprising for me to look back at the past year and see what the top cancers were.”
Care Partners serves an area from Cotton to Ely and from Hibbing to Hoyt Lakes.
It provides financial assistance to cancer patients and those with life-limiting illnesses for travel, hotel stays, meals, medical bills, household needs, groceries, and more.
All requests are considered.
Care Partners is also supported through donations from individuals, businesses, corporations, and groups that hold fundraisers, Hoag said.
As an example, a Lynn Kopp golf tournament in Hoyt Lakes this summer raised $21,000 for Care Partners, Hoag said.
“We have a ton of community support,” Hoag said.
All of the funds raised stay locally, Hoag said.
“I just got off the phone with someone that needs help with their dentist bill, doctor bill, pharmacy bill and utility bill,” Hoag said. “We’re going to talk to the utility to make sure nothing is shut off and we will write checks to help that person. We’re glad to be helping the Iron Range and we’ve never had to turn anyone away.”
Rock Ridge High School is at 1405 Progress Parkway in Virginia.
Signs will be posted for the Swedish Meatball Dinner curbside pickup area.
For curbside service, text your name and order details to (218)780-4133.
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