Nonprofit to hold spaghetti dinner, silent auction fundraiser

PHOENIXVILLE >> Phoenixville Area Time Bank, a nonprofit organization that empowers people to convert their personal time into purchasing power, will hold an Olde World Italian Pasta Party and Silent Auction on Oct. 22 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 121 Church St., Phoenixville.

Dinner will be served from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Kimberton Whole Foods, Wegmans, Whole Foods Market, and Giant Foods are cosponsoring the event.

Spring City resident Nick Castellano will prepare the meal. He will use authentic recipes for gravy and meatballs handed down to him by his mother. These recipes originated generations ago in Roseto, Italy. Castellano is not a professional chef — rather, he is owner of Castle Benefits Consulting Group — but the gravy and meatballs are legendary among his friends and family.

“The sauce must cook for hours and hours,” noted Castellano. “Then it’s refrigerated to allow the flavors to blend overnight.”

A vegetarian sauce will also be available. Salad, traditional breadsticks, and dessert will round out the meal.

A 50/50 raffle and silent auction will also be part of the fundraising effort to benefit the Time Bank with table closings at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. The auction will feature gift certificates, crafts, and services from local merchants and artisans.

“We’re thrilled to have Nick Castellano contributing his talents to this event,” said PATB Coordinator Margo Ketchum. “It will be a great night for the community and for the Time Bank!”

Tickets for the dinner are $12 in advance for adults, $8 in advance for children, and $15 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.PATB-Italian.Eventbrite.com or at the Community Eco Center, 252 Bridge St., Phoenixville. The venue is handicapped accessible with ample parking.

Founded in 2004, Phoenixville Area Time Bank’s vision is to create a strong, responsive, connected community where, using hours as currency, exchanges of personal talents can fill unmet needs. There are currently about 190 members, serving each other in “neighbor-to-neighbor” exchanges, with an emphasis on helping elders, convalescents, the unemployed, and people with disabilities. Since its founding, there have been approximately 9,600 recorded exchanges accounting for over 33,500 hours. Time Bank members assist other members in a variety of ways including Spanish conversations, pet sitting, cooking meals, editing, running errands, child care, and home repairs. Monthly activity groups and socials connect members as well.

New members are always welcome. For further information about the pasta party or joining the Time Bank, call Margo Ketchum at 610-608-9281 or email her at timedollar@verizon.net. Or, check out the PATB website at www.patb.timebanks.org.