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It’s a win-win: Enjoy Dungeness crab while supporting local youth.
The Rotary Club of Mountain View is hosting its annual crab feed fundraiser Saturday at The Mountain View Buddhist Temple. It’ll be three hours of all-you-can-eat crab, music and community.
“I would have to admit I was quite shocked my first time about 12 years ago,” said Heather Stenshamn, treasurer of the Rotary Club of Mountain View. “It’s a very large community event in a huge gymnasium that we take over, and there’s just tables upon tables lined up with a lot of people cracking crab as fast as they can with some amazing musicians performing and sharing their talents on the stage.”
Since 1987, the Rotary Club of Mountain View has hosted an annual crab feed to benefit a variety of local charities, said Stenshamn. This year, the proceeds (estimated to be $15,000) are to benefit local youth. A special grants committee seeks out local agencies in Mountain View that can apply for the grant, and then the committee determines how to allocate funds between three or four selected groups. The groups will be selected after the fundraiser.
“It’s amazing how the members and their family and friends and partners all come together and how 30 people can pull off such a big event,” Stenshamn said. “Just all that amazing effort, young and old, coming together is just a very special feeling.”
In addition to all-you-can-eat fresh Dungeness crab, the menu includes field greens and gorgonzola cheese with vinaigrette dressing, penne pasta with marinara sauce, fresh fruit salad and French bread. Expect live music, a raffle and drinks on site for purchase.
“It’s a fun, effective community way for Rotary to bring joy to the community, but also raise some money that we can give to where the need is,” Stenshamn said.
Community turnout has decreased over the years. In the 1990s it was common to have 700 to 800 guests attend the crab feed, said Stenshamn. Pre-COVID, turnout was around 300, but this year, it may be closer to 250.
“If you love cold crab, you should just definitely come and enjoy some food,” Stenshamn said. “If you want to give to the community, this is definitely a good way to support people who maybe have a greater need than yourself.”
The Rotary Club of Mountain View crab feed is Saturday, Feb. 3, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at 575 Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. General tickets are $75 and tickets for 3- to 10-year-olds are $25.
