SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL of MANTECA FUNDRAISERS

SI Manteca has “Something Special.” The rules followed were rather simple: Selling, Setting, Serving! Each member sets a beautiful table in a theme of her choosing. The long banquet-size tables in the hall available to us easily seat eight to ten persons. Using her own personal china, silverware, crystal on a table surrounding her elaborate decorative centerpiece, she invites and sells the luncheon tickets to her friends and acquaintances to attend. There are formal and informal decorations in different themes. Some members use pottery ware, stainless, and silver plate utensils in the more informal/casual settings.

The event has grown to be such a success that we have had to add an Open House–Table Viewing event the day prior to accommodate all the ladies and gents who wish to see our handiwork. At the Open House, light refreshments are served at a half price of the $15.00 luncheon ticket. Each member is hostess for her own table with her friends (some members are able to handily serve three tables). Hostess serves the water, coffee, and tea. A local firm caters our luncheon buffet. The dishes used in the table setting are the plates used by the guests to obtain their hot lunch at the buffet. There are four lines for food service to accommodate patrons on short lunch hours. The hostess member also serves her seated guests their dessert, which has been prepared by the caterer on a disposable plate. The hostess clears dirty dishes to an area designated in the hall. We have sponsored this successful event for six years. It is a springtime luncheon that is a MUST for our locals. No one wants to miss out on this invitation. Forty-five tables were set the past few years. Attendance has ranged between 450–500 persons. A profit of $3,500–3,700 has been realized on the luncheon.