Middleburgh Rotary Serves up Success with Annual Brooks BBQ Fundraiser

MIDDLEBURGH — For more than 25 years, the Schoharie Valley community has turned out for a local staple: the Middleburgh Rotary’s Brooks BBQ fundraiser. This year was no exception, as more than 300 residents gathered to support the cause with special thanks to Jim Schilling for the photo and information.

Jason Dannible, the event coordinator, credited the long-standing success to the community’s consistent appetite for the charitable dinners.

The afternoon was defined by a high-speed assembly line of volunteers. James Schilling, of the P. Keith Nelson "Breakabeen" Food Pantry, arrived just before the peak rush to find a 14-person team churning out meals by the minute.

The process began with Rotary treasurer Scott at the grill. From there, the meals moved through a rapid-fire sequence of sides, including coleslaw, baked potatoes, dinner rolls, and silverware. Volunteer Tina added the finishing touch—a snack cake—before Vice President Katelynne Schuttig sealed the boxes. Outside, David [Last Name] and Dannible managed the "roadside service," delivering meals directly to a line of waiting cars.

The Middleburgh High School Interact club, a Rotary-sponsored service group, also assisted with the event operations.

However, even a 25-year tradition can hit a snag. While Schilling was inside making a donation toward 37 meals delivered to local seniors, the production line came to a "screeching halt."

The culprit? A shortage of snack cakes.

Schilling quickly volunteered to help, driving to the nearby Valley Market. After an initial delivery of Zebra Cakes, it became clear the shortage was larger than anticipated.

"There had been a miscount between dinners and chickens on my part, as well as how many packages were in a box," Schilling said. "I had deliberately parked out front, just in case. So, off I went, chuckling all the way."

Following a second trip to the market, the assembly line resumed.

Schilling, who remained until the end of the event to finalize notes, said he hope to collaborate with the Rotary in the future. He plans to present on the logistics of the food pantry, noting the similarities between preparing a Brooks BBQ meal and a pantry food box.