Where's the beef? This Friday, it's at St. John's

Where can you feed a family of four for under $30 on a Friday night?

Sure, you could pull up to the fast food restaurant drive-through window and eat a meal out of a paper bag, cardboard box or wrapped in paper.

Or you could help a good cause and enjoy a roast beef dinner with hundreds of other diners.

The Ladies of St. John's will host its annual Roast Beef Dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19 at the church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin.

There should be plenty of food to go around, said Marilyn Unruh, an event organizer.

Though attendance at last year's dinner dipped slightly, Unruh said the church usually feeds about 250 people.

That's about 175 pounds of beef, plus dozens of tomatoes, tubs of potato salad and coleslaw, as well as pounds of green beans and almonds.

Most of the produce comes from Tom's Farm Market and Greenhouses in Huntley.

"All the church works together to put the dinner together," Unruh said. "We have people preparing the dinner and others in charge of baking pies. Then we have children helping clear the tables. We need the cooperation of as many people as we can."

About 25 people begin preparations today in the church's kitchen for the roast beef. Others are in charge of groups such as waiters, dessert and serving.

Unruh said there is no special recipe for the roast dinner, just some seasoned salt, celery and onion.

Started in 1981, the dinner raises money for various church projects.

"Initially, the purpose was to buy equipment of for the kitchen when we bought the church in 1981," Unruh said.

Since then, the dinner has raised money to buy furniture like chairs, desks and tables for the church, as new appliances like a freezer and a stove for the kitchen.

"If the church needs something then we try and help out as best we can," Unruh said.

This year, the goal returns full circle with organizers aiming to raise enough money to purchase electric roasters with steel lining.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for children age 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger dine for free. Tickets sold at the door are an additional 50 cents.

Call (847) 658-7097 to purchase tickets in advance.

If you go

What: Ladies of St. John's annual roast beef dinner

When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19

Where: St. John's Lutheran Church, 300 S. Jefferson St., Algonquin

How much? Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger dine for free. Tickets at the door are an additional 50 cents.

Call: (847) 658-7097