Support great cause by eating pecan, pumpkin, apple and key lime pie, feel no guilt
Whether it be apple, pecan, pumpkin or key lime, pies have the power to do good and even change lives. How, you ask? When those pies become part of the Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches' "Pie It Forward" event.
Sponsored by Bank of America and now in its ninth year, this event is a pie sale that raises money for the organization.
Much more than your average bake sale, however, this event relies on the donated time, talent and resources of local "pie masters" from restaurants, hotels, catering companies and country clubs.
These include the talented bakers from Addison Reserve, Admirals Cove, The Beach Club, Boca Grove, Charlie & Joe's at Love Street, The Club at Ibis, Delray Dunes, Duffy Sports Grill, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Kitchen, Hilton West Palm Beach, Lost Tree Club, Mirasol, The Paddock Restaurant, Palm Beach County Convention Center, The Polo Club, PGA National, The Sailfish Club of Florida, Sandy James Fine Foods & Catering, Serenity Tea House, and Wycliffe Country Club, who together will produce thousands of pies for the event.
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The apple, pecan and pumpkin pies will be sold for $30 each and the key lime for $35. They will will be available for order from Nov. 1 to 15.
In addition to the staple varieties, each year there is also a special "surprise pie." Last year, the surprise was peanut butter. This year's special will not be revealed until midway through the ordering process on Nov. 8.
All of the pies are deep-dish and 9 inches in diameter; but the recipes, styles and techniques are left up to the skill and creativity of the individual bakers.
Buyers won't know who actually created their perfect pastry until they pick it up. Inside the lid of the box will be a note that says who made and donated that particular pie.
“This year 'pie masters' from our community are donating more than 3,000 pies,” said Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches special events director Maura Sartory. “Every pie purchased helps cover the cost of a week of nutritious meals delivered to a homebound senior in Palm Beach County.”
If you're on the fence about ordering one, there will be a pie sampling at The Gardens Green Market in Palm Beach Gardens on Sunday, Nov. 5.
Don't like pie? First, check you're vital signs — are you OK? Then take a breath and know that you can participate in this just cause by either purchasing a "virtual pie" or gifting a pie to someone.
In 2015, the event's first year, 500 pies were sold; this year organizers are anticipating nearly 4,000 sales between actual and virtual pies.
In its first eight years, the event has raised over $1 million.
Pies will be available for pick-up from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at three designated locations: The Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach; and Duffy’s Sports Grills in Jupiter and Delray Beach.
This event supports a great cause, contributing to Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, which is a 501c(3) and receives zero federal or local government support.
Not to mention, it can ensure you get a fantastic pie fix for Thanksgiving.
If you buy
What: Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches' "Pie It Forward"
Where: Pies can be picked up at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; Duffy’s Sports Grill, 185 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter; and Duffy’s Sports Grill, 1750 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach
When: Pies can be ordered between Nov. 1 and 15 and picked up between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 21
Information: mowpbpie.org
Cost: Each pie is $30 ($35 for key lime)
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County's best bakers make pies to support Meals on Wheels
