VALDOSTA —
For several years, in addition to Sundays and Mondays, Temple Israel has quietly opened the annual sale of its kosher corned beef sandwiches to businesses on Fridays.
This year, for the 2013 Annual Kosher Corned Beef Sandwich Fundraiser, the area Hebrew congregation adds Friday to its public sale, according to organizers.
Essentially, during three days, a congregation of just more than 50 families will make and sell enough sandwiches to feed 10 percent of Valdosta’s population.
The sale started with the hopes of selling a few hundred sandwiches to raise money for the temple and to benefit area charities. The sale grew to sell thousands of sandwiches annually and raise thousands of dollars for various organizations.
This year’s recipient for proceeds is the Rotary Club’s law-enforcement fund which was the focus of the recent annual Law-Enforcement Appreciation Dinner.
A few years ago, the sandwich sale reached maximum capacity. Though the congregation’s 50-some families place all hands on deck, working night and day, with exception of the Sabbath from sundown Friday through Saturday, Temple Israel can produce 5,500 sandwiches.
People arrive at the temple to pick up their sandwiches to go, or step inside the temple to eat.
That popularity, organizers say, can be attributed to the sale’s consistency and simplicity.
Each year, ticketholders know what they are
getting. There’s only one menu item. For a $10 advanced ticket, a purchaser receives a third-pound of kosher Hebrew National corned beef sandwich, chips, dill pickle, drink, a dessert, and condiments. That’s what patrons received during the sale’s first year. That’s what they will receive this year.
With one difference in pricing. Advanced tickets are still $10 each, but the sandwich is $12 when purchased during the days of the sale at the Temple Israel site.
While the sale is a Valdosta tradition, South Georgia is a rare success for these sales.
Other cities have tried similar sales, but many have failed. Charleston, S.C., offered a diverse menu with several items; it stopped sandwich sales after the first year. Pensacola, Fla., wanted to deliver the sandwiches; this did not work.
Last year, Jacksonville, Fla., representatives attended the Valdosta sale with hopes of learning the meaning of success here and translating these efforts to their city.
Annual Kosher Corned Beef Sandwich Sale
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, March 8; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, March 10; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, March 11.
Where: Temple Israel, 511 Baytree Road.
Lunch: A third of a pound of kosher Hebrew National corned beef on rye bread, chips, kosher dill pickle, drink and dessert.
Cost: $10, advance; $12, days of sale.
More information: Tickets can be purchased online at templeisraelvaldosta.org; or call (229) 244-1813. Tickets also available at Astro Exterminating, Steel’s Jewelry, Pammy Cakes, J Carbone Jewelry.
Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s law-enforcement fund.
