Blanchet House attempts to set meatball-eating record at Pride NW event

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — Two community organizations joined forces in an attempt to set the record for most people eating meatballs at once in Portland.

Over the weekend, Blanchet House hosted the inaugural Goodness Gracious Meatballs of Pride in partnership with Pride Northwest. The event was free of charge, but doubled as a fundraiser with attendees encouraged to donate money for the social service nonprofit’s food, clothing and housing programs.

Eighty-three people helped the organizations work toward their record attempt, which included more than 300 regular meatballs and vegetarian meatballs. Attendees additionally played corn hole, made crafts, participated in a costume contest and watched as Portland drag queen Kourtni Capree Duv performed.

Blanchet House said one community member, who owns North Portland’s Boom Boom Balloons, handmade a meatball piñata for the festivities. Another young participant donated his allowance toward the cause.

“Our mission is to alleviate suffering for all human beings and this event supports our work,” Blanchet House said on Instagram. “We hope you will join us next year at Goodness Gracious Great Meatballs of Pride.”

The first annual event was inspired by this year’s Pride NW theme: “Feast & Love.”

“There’s a lot of overlap in our community in terms of housing insecurity [and] food insecurity,” Pride NW Executive Director Debra Porta told KOIN 6. “LGBTQ+ folks experience both of those things in high numbers and it just made sense to bring both of our communities together and build more community have a good time and get the message out.”

The Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade runs from this Saturday, June 20 through Sunday, June 21.

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