The mouth-watering aroma of chicken sizzling on the grill will wafting through West Boxford on Saturday, May 24, as Jimmy Nason fires up the grill for his 37th year as cook for the Second Congregational Church chicken barbecue.

The annual event raises money for Bread and Roses, a soup kitchen in Lawrence.

Ticket holders will be treated to half of a charcoal-broiled chicken with potato salad, coleslaw, rolls and coffee on the side. Women from the church donate homemade pies for dessert, and Benson's Ice Cream, also a West Boxford icon, donates its homemade ice cream to make the pies "a la mode."

Hungry yet?

The spread will be served on the front lawn of the Second Congregational Church in West Boxford village, weather permitting. If there's foul weather, the event will move indoors to the parish hall. The church's youth group will be on hand, selling soda and other drinks.

Nason, owner of Nason's Stone House Farm, a farmhouse store at 276 Washington St. known for its frozen foods and chicken pies, started the chicken barbecue at the church with his father 37 years ago. He's been behind the grill every year since.

"It's just fun," he said. "I can't give it up."

He enjoys seeing the community and church come together to socialize, enjoy a good meal and help a local nonprofit, Nason said.

The Moonlight Serenaders, a group of about a dozen local high school girls led by Sandy Nason, Jimmy's wife, will provide entertainment for diners, singing favorites from Disney movies.

Sandy's mother, Barbara Littlefield, was instrumental in starting the Bread and Roses organization, along with several other women, in 1980, said Nason. A group of volunteers from the Second Congregational Church also cooks and provides a meal for Bread and Roses the first Monday of every month, year-round.

The Lawrence soup kitchen "is dear to our hearts," he said.

The first chicken barbecue held more than three decades ago was a fundraiser for a couples club in town, Nason said. For the first 20 years or so, a live band would play on the steps of the church and the event's proceeds were split between the Boxford couples club and Shriner's hospital.

Since then, the format has stayed mostly the same, but has shifted focus to raise money for Bread and Roses, he said. They usually serve about 200 plates of chicken, and raise between $600 and $800 for the Lawrence nonprofit.

A chicken barbecue seemed a natural fit for a fundraiser, said Nason, because he and his father ran a catering business.

"I've been in the catering or food business since I was 14, and I'm going to be 63 this summer, so you can do the math," said Nason.

IF YOU GO:

r Chicken barbecue

r Benefits Bread and Roses soup kitchen in Lawrence

r Second Congregational Church, 173 Washington St., the corner of Washington (Route 133) and Main streets in West Boxford village

r May 24, 5:30 p.m.

r Tickets, $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (65 and older) and children (10 and under) are $6; available at the church office, Nason's Stonehouse Farm or West Village Provisions general store, both on Washington Street, West Boxford

r Call the church with questions, 978-352-2127

Bread and Roses

Bread and Roses, a Lawrence soup kitchen, serves a free, full-course, nutritious dinner every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Anyone who is hungry or in need is welcome, no questions asked.

An average of 200 meals are served to homeless or needy families and individuals each evening. Bread and Roses staff and volunteers also provide advocacy and make referrals to other human service organizations as needs arise.

The organization is funded completely by donations and receives no state or federal support. For more information, visit www.breadandroseslawrence.org