The Social Entrepreneurs of Grinnell (SEG) will host a pie-baking contest and fundraiser this Saturday, April 30. This event intends to help out the local community while enjoying pie with fantastic friends and community members. The weekend will be a spectacle full of pie judging and consuming.
The SEG are a non-profit micro-finance organization in the town of Grinnell. They seek to strengthen the economic well-being of people in Grinnell by funding small zero-interest loans. The pie contest directly funds loans given to members of the community in need.
The executive director of the program, Dan Volk, has been involved with this fundraiser for two years and has been a Grinnell resident for 23 years. Volk emphasized the impact he believes this fundraiser brings to the community.
“This fundraiser is a town best outing to break up the monotony at this time of year,” said Volk.
SEG has expanded outreach efforts, like the pie-baking contest, since its creation in 2007. They also directly seek out Grinnell residents who are in tough financial situations to provide loans to directly, though Volk did not state how exactly they seek out these individuals.
“The event has happened three out of the past four years, one being taken away due to the pandemic,” said Volk. “But with that being said, the past three years we have done this event it has been super unique and a fun experience.”
Volk emphasized the mission of the organization with this fundraiser, stating how the organizers are looking for new contributors to their help advance their mission, in addition to members of the community who have been helping for years.
“We are looking for new potential donors to come and experience this weekend to keep them informed of our program as well as seeing those who have been with us for years,” said Volk.
There is a loaded schedule for this weekend’s exciting festivities.
The contest will be located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church this Saturday, April 30, and pie drop-off by competitors begins at noon, ending at 1:15 p.m., when the contest preparation begins. Judges will come in starting at 1:30 p.m. for the lively contest to begin. After judging ends, everyone who wants to attend is welcome from 3 to 5 p.m. to enjoy slices of pie and coffee while enjoying the social atmostphere, before waiting for the award winners to be announced at 3:30 p.m. The award categories are: American Classics (Cherry or Apple), Cream or Custard, Specialty Pies, Youth (HS or younger), Other Fruit Pies and Grand Champion.
Free donations will also be accepted, and there will be take-out containers for anyone wanting a slice of pie to go.
SEG has emphasized their excitement to see everyone this weekend as they further inform them about the future of this program while enjoying pie.
Monica St. Angelo • May 3, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Thank you for featuring SEG! We connect with individuals who need loans primarily by referrals from organizations like MICA and the Grinnell Ministerial Association. We also have a website with all the information needed for loan applications. We’ll do the pie fundraiser again next year!