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Game day sales stimulate Catholic fundraising efforts
By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
October 19, 2006
GLENDALE — Not only do some Catholics spend Sundays with their priests, they make time for their Cardinals as well.
The Arizona Cardinals, that is.
These local Catholic volunteers belong to three of the 40 nonprofit groups who operate concession stands at University of Phoenix Stadium during Cardinals home games and special events. A percentage of their sales is donated to various causes.
Various Knights of Columbus councils spearheaded the effort, but parishioners, friends and neighbors sport an apron and wait on customers, too.
“We’ve gone back to earning money the old-fashioned way,” said Ted Schlink, grand knight for the Knights of Columbus in Paradise Valley. The Pope John XXIII Council serves St. Joseph and St. Joan of Arc parishes.
Schlink felt parishioners grew tired of donating and kicked off a new way to raise funds when the stadium opened in August. Up to 31 Knights and what he called “Sister Knights” spend as much as 12 hours running their own 10-register concession stand on the terrace level.
Ironically, he said, their work spurred donations. People who can’t work the booth donate money instead. Fans who notice their “K of C” nametag tend to leave them extra money.
“And when they do, they tip handsomely,” Schlink added.
Tom Hart and his Knights of Columbus crew from St. Theresa Parish haven’t been as fortunate. The Knights serve a smaller area in the club level near the 50-yard line.
Hart noted their tips were better at Sun Devil Stadium where the group ran Cardinals concession stands for the last three seasons. He said the credit and debit receipts at the new venue don’t include a line to designate a tip amount.
The volunteers are also still adjusting to working with the kitchen staff on supply and demand. Club level concession workers rely on professional cooks to prepare the more than 1,000 meals served from their stand. Leftovers count against the group’s profits.
Despite such obstacles, Catholics still cash in after each game.
“You can make so much more money than pancake breakfasts and car washes,” said St. Theresa Knight Mark Skoog.
He said the breakfasts cap at $300. Each council earns $1,000-$2,100 per game.
The St. Theresa council finances several projects with its proceeds. It purchases large ticket items for the parish’s giving tree each Christmas, makes quarterly donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and gives to the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
In two months, the Paradise Valley council reportedly eclipsed what it can make in a year hosting church dinners.
Council members earmarked the money to help needy retired priests in the diocese.
Most agree running the concession stand is hard work — Hart even called it backbreaking — but the fellowship experience and charitable causes often override that.
“I consider it a ministry,” said Bob Mayotte. He is among a group of parishioners from St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in Anthem who run a separate 10-register concession stand on the terrace level.
Their proceeds feed the parish’s building campaign fund for permanent worship space.
“It’s a substantial amount of cash we’ll be able to raise for the church,” Mayotte added.
Volunteers at all three stands find much more than a financial reward that benefits their communities.
“When you see it all going on, everyone is laughing, smiling, slipping and sliding, and having a ball,” Schlink said. “The booth is full of smiling Catholics having a good time and that is what fraternity is all about.”
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Ambria Hammel/CATHOLIC SUN
Jac Martinez, Bob Meyers and Olivia Martinez are among many Catholics who run concession stands at Arizona Cardinals games. A portion of proceeds benefit parishes and charities.
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