Filling Bellies, Stuffing Coffers

Thanks to hard work and hungry stomachs, the Annapolis Rotary Club’s 2014 crab-cracking shared $62,000 among 29 local non-profits.
    With this year’s 70th annual crab feast coming up Friday, Aug. 7, you can prepare to eat all the crabs you desire in good conscience, anticipating the good works to come from your good appetite.
    Crabs are all No. 1 males, but this year’s low catch in the Chesapeake means most of the crabs will be imported from other states. Shoreline Seafood of Gambrills does the cooking in the traditional Chesapeake way, steamed hot and Old Bay-seasoned. Corn and watermelons are from the Eastern Shore.
    You’ll be among thousands at the popular event, all feasting on Atlantic blue crabs, vegetable crab soup, corn on the cob, barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, draft beer, sodas, water and watermelon slices courtesy of the Mar-Del Watermelon Association.
    You’ll also find a bake sale and cake raffle.
    Annapolis Green, a local environmental advocacy group, collects all the food waste for compost. About 20,000 pounds was composted last year.
    The 2014 grant recipients include:
     • Rebuilding Together and Meals on Wheels, $3,500 each.
    • Hospice of the Chesapeake Life Center, Food Link, Annapolis Maritime Museum, Cystic Fibrosis, Heart Smart, Pregnancy Clinic and Birthright of Annapolis, $3,000 each.
    • Greater Annapolis Family Center Y, Anne Arundel County CASA, Creating Communities, YMCA, Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center and Arundel Lodge Inc., $2,500 each.
    • Boys and Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Wellness House of Annapolis and Backpack Buddies, $2,000 each.
    • Leadership Anne Arundel, Maryland Therapeutic Riding, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Anne Arundel County, and Dare to C.A.R.E., $1,500 each.
    • Students Taking Academic Responsibility (STAIR), Annapolis Green, Anne Arundel Food Bank, Bay Community Support Services, Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Scholarship Trust, West/Rhode Riverkeeper and Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, $1,000 each.


Fri., Aug. 7, 5-8pm, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis: annapolisrotary.org.

Adults $75 at the gate, $65 in advance; Ages 3-12 $20; Under 3 free. Free parking: 877-333-9667; annapolistickets.showare.com/crabfeast.