Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify that cancellation of the pig roast due to calls and complaints was confirmed by anonymous fire company officials and that the annual fundraiser is an independent event. Chief Gastwirth confirmed the cancellation of the event to Philly.com
By FireRescue1 Staff
MALVERN, Pa. — A fire department canceled their annual pig roast fundraiser after several complaints were made about the practice.
Philly.com reported that the Malvern Fire Company’s sixth annual pig roast was canceled and an alternative fundraiser is to be considered after complaints, including threats of protests, were made regarding the cooking and serving of a pig, according to company officials.
Borough manager Christopher Bashore said the dinner is an independent event and that the borough wasn’t involved in its cancellation. Bashore says he hadn’t received any complaints.
The annual pig roast began in 2013 and is described on a flyer for the event as “a roast pig dinner with sides, dessert, and drinks” for $15 and “all-you-can-drink beer” for an additional $10.
Chief Chris Gastwirth confirmed the cancellation to Philly.com and said alternative plans would be discussed with the board of trustees.
Residents responded to the decision to cancel the fundraiser on social media, voicing their concerns.
“I think things like pig roasts, barbecues or fairs are hallmarks of an old fashioned summer, and I think in the world we live in today, these community events mean even more to people than they used to because there are so few left,” resident Carla Zambelli Mudry said. “I think it’s wrong to shut down a community event, especially for a fire company that doesn’t have a big budget and needs the community’s support.”
The fire company addressed the cancelation of the fundraiser in a Facebook post.
“While it was not an easy decision, this particular fundraising event has been canceled due to several factors including the lack of ticket sales and in consideration of the many hours our volunteers would need to donate to organize and host this particular event,” the fire company said on Facebook Tuesday. “The company is discussing other ways to apply their support to the upcoming fundraising efforts scheduled for this year.”