HELPING OUT: Grab your crackers and melt some butter! It’s crab-feed fundraiser season

It’s hard to pin-point exactly when the crab-feed became such a major focus of nonprofit fundraising strategy in America. Many local organizations have been doing them for decades. Some have only recently jumped aboard the crab-wagon. But one thing is sure. When you are a plucky not-for-profit hungry for donations, few things are as certain to excite the community’s appetite for generosity like melting but-ter, steaming up a mountain of Dungeness crab, and throwing a good old-fashioned crab-feed.

And a silent auction.

And a raffle.

And whatever else the organizers think of to encourage folks to open their wallets.

The truth is, many groups depend on a successful event to fund their work in the community. So, in participating in one of the listed crab-feed fundraisers, along with calories and memories of a good time, you’ll walk away with a good feeling, knowing you helped a worthy organization continue with its valuable service to Petaluma and beyond.

PORTUGUESE CRAB-FEED & DANCE

Saturday, Jan. 13, 6 p.m.

A fundraiser for the Senhor Santo Cristo Society, this benefit feast features a choice of cold crab, or warm crab, with after-dinner dancing till midnight. Adults $50, Children $25. Petaluma Holy Ghost Hall, 4649 Bodega Ave. (707) 304-2819 or (510) 604-7746

PETALUMA 7-11 LION’S CLUB?CRAB-FEED

Saturday, Jan. 20, 5 p.m.

Supporting the Lions Club’s tireless efforts to assist those with hearing and sight problems, this annual event includes an array of raffle items, and all the crab you can eat. $50 per person. Petaluma Vets Hall, 1094 S. Petaluma Blvd. RSVP at 711lions@gmail.com.

PACIFIC EMPIRE CHORUS CRAB-?FEED, CONCERT AND AUCTION

Saturday, Jan. 27, 5 p.m.

Powered by the motto “Crack crab with the ones you love,” this is always a popular one. Along with the traditional crab, pastas, and side dishes, this features a live acapella show, and V.I.P. (Captain’s Ta-ble) seating. $50 advance; $60 at the door; $20 for children 10 and under; $560 for “captain’s Table.” Petaluma Vets Hall, 1094 S. Petaluma Blvd. Purchase tickets at www.pacificempire.org.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB ‘CRUSTACEAN CELEBRATION,’ DANCE & AUCTION

Saturday, Jan. 27, 5:30 p.m.

Loads of food and drink, grand auction items and raffle activities, and dancing to a DJ. $95 per person (hosted bar included). Boys and Girls Club Lucchesi Park Clubhouse, Purchase tickets at 528-7977, or at Bgccsc.org/petaluma-crab.

DUNHAM SCHOOL CRAB-FEED

Saturday, Jan. 27, 5:30 p.m.

Crab and other items, auctions and raffles, all benefiting the students of Dunham School. Hermann Sons Hall, 860 Western Ave. $55 per person. Purchase tickets at www.dunhamsd.org.

RANCHO ADOBE FIREFIGHTER’S ASSOCIATION

Saturday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m.

Hot crab and all the fixings, plus entertainment and, of course, FIREFIGHTERS! This annual event takes place at the Penngrove Community Club House, 385 Woodward Ave. $60 per person. Buy tickets in person at the Penngrove Fire Station, Main St, and Old Redwoon Hwy.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ITALY

Saturday, Feb. 3, 5 p.m.

All-you-can-eat crab and pasta, sides of all kinds, wine on the table, and a no-host bar for harder stuff, plus raffle items and a fifty-/fifty raffle, too. Advance only, and space is limited. Petaluma Community Center at Lucchesi Park, 320 N. McDowell Blvd. $50 per person. Information and tickets by writing erng1624@aol.com.

PETALUMA WOMEN’S CLUB’S ‘BEST LITTLE CRAB FEED’

Friday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m.

Mountains of cracked crab, rivers of libation, and the legendary “Better Than Sex” cake for desert, all supporting Petaluma’s beloved Women’s Club and efforts to restore and refurbish the iconic building. In fact, I like the club so much, that whenever they ask, I am more than happy to cry the auctions and raffles at their various fundraisers. Hopefully, I will be back at it again this year. $50, www.petalumawomansclub.com.

CRAB-FEED BENEFIT FOR PENNGROVE SOCIAL FIREMEN

Saturday, Feb. 10, 5:45 p.m. (Dinner at 7 p.m.)

All proceeds from this benefit support improvements to Penngrove Park and the Penngrove Clubhouse, which is where the event is held. $50 per person. 385 Woodward St. Penngrove. Tickets available at JavAmore Cafe, 10101 Main Street, Penngrove. For infomration call (707) 794-1516.

SHORELINE ACRES PRESCHOOL CRAB-FEED

Saturday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m.

In addition two dinner seatings (the early on from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m, the late seating from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), this may be the only crab-feed to offer a “take-out” option, so you can pick your crab and sides up at the location and take them more, or wherever you prefer to consume your crab. This is the tiny rural school’s primary annual fundraiser, helping to provide bilingual education to preschool stu-dents in the largely rural community. $25 for kids, $45 for adults. Tomales Town Hall, 27150 Maine St., Tomales. Reserve tickets by calling (707) 878-9442 or writing to shorelineacres@yahoo.com.

ROTARY CLUB OF PETALUMA CRAB-FEED & SUPER-RAFFLE

Friday, Feb. 23, 6 p.m.

With 500 available seats, this is one of the largest crab-feeds of the season. All proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s community and international project fund. $65 per person. Petaluma Veterans Hall, 1094 S. Petaluma Blvd. Reserve tickets at Petalumarotary.org.