The Johnson County community is never hesitant to throw its support behind a good cause to help their neighbors.
If they can do so while enjoying piles and piles of pulled pork, even better.
For the past 26 years, Jim Rhoades Memorial Hog Roast has brought people together to ring in the holidays, while also raising money to be split evenly between the Good Cheer Fund food distribution and the Interchurch Food Pantry.
Hundreds of people will again gather from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Johnson County fairgrounds for the annual event. Organizers from the Franklin Rotary Club are expecting another great turnout to fight hunger in the community after raising more than $51,000 last year.
“We have people come in all of the time to speak about the needs in the community, and it sounds like the need is just growing and growing,” said Eric Leugers, organizer of the event for the Franklin Rotary Club. “Families need assistance. A lot of us don’t ever see that in our normal lives.”
Every year since 1996, the Johnson County community has come together in early December to feast, all while helping their neighbors do the same.
The hog roast was the idea of Rhoades, a former county commissioner and rotary member. Rhoades was a well-known character in the community. He hosted the hog roast in the parking lot of his business, Rhoades True Value Hardware in Franklin. Eventually, a heated tent was erected outside his hardware store on Jefferson Street to give people a place to sit.
To support the dinner, Rhoades would canvas the community asking for in-kind donations. Farmers would donate hogs or chickens. Vendors would provide massive grills. Dozens of other businesses would provide drinks or sides or other supplies.
Rhoades was involved in the hog roast until his death in 2005, at which point the Franklin Rotary Club decided to carry it on. The first year Rhoades held it, the hog roast raised $3,500.
Between 2020 and 2021, the event raised nearly $100,000 to fight hunger.
Lunch is free, though people are encouraged to donate what they can to support both the Interchurch Food Pantry and the Good Cheer Fund.
A big change this year comes with the food provider. For 16 years, Malone’s Catering of Greenwood has provided the pulled pork, fried chicken, sides and other items. The catering company closed earlier this year, though.
Still, the mark the business left on the hog roast, and the community as a whole, has been immeasurable, Leugers said.
Stepping up to fill the void has been First Class Catering, a Columbus-based business that offered to provide food for the hog roast at a deep discount. Their generosity has been inspiring, Leugers said.
“These guys didn’t know us, but they were willing to step in and give us a huge discount due to the charitable nature of the event,” he said.
In addition to the main dishes and sides provided by First Class, Indian Creek FFA will serve up pork chops that they’ve donated.
Dine-in and drive-through options are both available, giving people a choice in how they want to celebrate the tradition, Leugers said.
“The Rotary Club, their motto is, ‘Service above self.’ This is one of the largest charity events for any Rotary Club in the district,” he said. “Knowing that we’re helping families in our community while bringing the community together to celebrate is important.”
IF YOU GO
Jim Rhoades Memorial Hog Roast
What: An annual event hosted by the Franklin Rotary Club. This year’s event will be both drive-through and dine-in.
When: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 1
Where: Scott Hall at the Johnson County fairgrounds
Cost: The lunch is free, but donations are requested.
Why: Proceeds benefit the Johnson County Good Cheer Fund and Interchurch Food Pantry
