Mark Alston-Follansbee, right in photo from the Somerville Homeless Coalition, thanks Robert Gregory, Mikaela McLeod and Caryn Whitney, all of Redbones, for their tremendous Pig Pickin that benefitted the Coalition.

Southern hospitality spilled out the door and down Chester Street as Redbones Barbecue hosted a neighborhood block party attended by over 450 fans of their finger lickin’ great food and supporters of the Somerville Homeless Coalition.

The 13^th Annual Pig Pickin’ event, to benefit the Homeless Coalition, raised $10,000. “Pig Pickin’ is one of our favorite annual events for such a great cause. We’re so thrilled for another successful fundraiser for the homeless.” – Caryn Whitney, co-owner of Redbones with Robert Gregory.  Redbones donated all the food and staff time, so that 100% of the proceeds would go to the Homeless Coalition.

“We are so grateful,” declared Mark Alston-Follansbee, Executive Director of the Homeless Coalition.  “We could not do this our work without the support of our community and we are fortunate to have partners like Redbones that bring us all together for a great time to help the cause.”

Live music, provided by The Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Band, The Spring Hill Rounders, and The Frank Drake Band filled the air and attracted passersby in Davis Square.  Whether you were enjoying a plate of pulled pork, a veggie cabob, or just having a beer at the Beer Garden, Chester Street was the place to be.  There was no sign of the torrential rains and flooding that happened in the morning and everyone was having such a good time the few sprinkles were laughed away.

“We’ve been coming to the Pig Pickin for the last eight years, and it’s one of my favorite events,”  enthused Somerville resident and SHC volunteer Jeanne Wolf.  “We can catch up with our friends we’ve missed over the summer, the kids can run around, we can eat great BBQ, and it’s for such a worthy cause.”

Founded in 1985, SHC runs a shelter for adults and another shelter for families, which are always at capacity.  They also provide case management and supportive services to help people move from the street to shelter, from shelter to permanent housing, and, most recently, preventing families and individuals from becoming homeless.  SHC also runs Project SOUP, a food pantry and meals program.  Last year, 2,456 people, including 884 children, were served by these programs.  For more information on how to get involved, call 617-623-6111 or visit www.shcinc.org.