Sacramento Supervisor Sue Frost is pictured with Kiwanian Jack Seigel, husband Jack Frost, and staffer Forrest Johnson.

RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - A horde of enthusiastic diners who devoured nearly 1,150 pounds of crab while keeping their thirst quenched lent a hand to two organizations supporting children on February 3.

The affair marked the Tenth Annual Crab Feed, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Rancho Murieta and held at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church. This crab feed stands as the primary fundraiser for the Kiwanians, who collaborate with The Knights of Columbus for this beloved event.

Jeanette Edwards, a Kiwanian, managed ticket sales this year, stating, “Dine-in tickets sold out in the first hour on the first day of sales on Jan 6th. People were lined up outside the Local Bean, waiting for us to set up to buy tickets.”

The club managed to sell 296 dine-in tickets and 58 drive-through tickets.

Expressing delight at the response, Kiwanis Club President Angelo Lutz remarked, “Thanks to the entire community and particularly the committee members and generous sponsors for making our 10th-anniversary crab feed a terrific success. The proceeds allow our Kiwanis Club of Rancho Murieta to continue our projects and objectives of assisting children together.”

John Slamkowski reported that the Knights of Columbus raised approximately $1,800 from their no-host bar, all of which will be donated to Special Olympics of Northern California. Slamkowski praised the collaboration, saying, “We love working with the Kiwanis Club. They make it a fun, enjoyable night. We also value their mission of donating all proceeds to those in need.”

Dubbed the “Dynamic Duo,” past Presidents Dia Utterback and Bonnie Shewchuk co-chaired the crab feed organizing committee, securing 33 sponsors and numerous valuable raffle and silent auction prizes. Shewchuk even assembled all the raffle prizes into attractive baskets in the week leading up to the crab feed.

Although the expenses were still being submitted at press time, the Kiwanians made about $36,000 at last year’s event. “This year will be less,” Utterback conceded.

The theme, black, silver, and gold, commemorated the event’s 10th anniversary. Kiwanian Carol Prinzo headed the decorating committee, crafting beautiful flower arrangements. A fortunate diner at each table won the flowery centerpiece as a door prize.

Chef KC Brown, also the Rancho Murieta Country Club chef, took the reins as caterer this year following the retirement of Charles Mehrten of Red Oak Barbecue. Brown and his team effortlessly prepared about 1,150 pounds of Dungeness crab, over 100 pounds of shrimp, along with salad, pasta, and dessert. Diners could also bid on elaborate desserts organized by Patty Long.

Seventeen Key Club members from Sheldon and Pleasant Grove High Schools and the Rancho Murieta Club served the food inside the church and assisted with the drive-through. Members of Boy Scout Troop 633 helped with the clean-up the following day.

Adult volunteers, seven from the community and between 20 and 25 Kiwanians, played crucial roles in making the event a success.

Utterback emphasized the indispensable role of sponsors, noting that of the 33 sponsors this year, nine were new. Rancho Murieta Homes and Land (Karen Hoberg) stood as the Diamond Sponsor, while Town and Country Real Estate (Ron and Ina Semaru) and Firecode Safety Equipment Inc. were Gold Sponsors.