A Longview pitmaster wanted to help, a local business offered space, barbecue teams donated food and thousands of neighbors showed up.
LONGVIEW, Wash. — The smell of smoked meat drifted across a packed parking lot Saturday. Thousands gathered in Longview for a community barbecue fundraiser to support local families and bring neighbors together during a difficult week.
What started as an idea around a kitchen table quickly turned into what organizers believe may be the largest barbecue the city has ever seen.
Organizer Adam Scattergood remembered telling his wife about his idea after hearing about the tragedy that shook one of Longview’s largest employers earlier this week.
“I need to cook,” Scattergood said.
Scattergood quickly connected with Bob’s Sporting Goods, which offered its parking lot for the event. Pitmasters from across Southwest Washington hauled in smokers, donated food and volunteered their time.
By Saturday afternoon, organizers estimated they had prepared thousands of pounds of food and served a crowd that stretched around the property.
“We did not expect this. This has been amazing,” Scattergood said.
The fundraiser drew residents from across Cowlitz County, many of whom said they came not only to donate or eat, but to spend time with neighbors.
“This is the best turnout and all the things going on this weekend,” said Chris Corekin, a Longview resident who attended the event. “This community needs the camaraderie of everybody coming together.”
Corekin moved to Longview three years ago but quickly learned how closely tied the community is to the region’s timber and paper industries.
“It is a mill community, so everybody knows somebody,” she said.
For many residents, the barbecue offered a contrast to the emotions that had dominated much of the week.
Nick Anderson, a pastor and former principal at Columbia Heights Christian Academy, said the turnout reflected Longview’s character.
“It’s been a real downer with just what has gone on,” Anderson said. “But you see the turnout today — it’s a total turnaround from that. To me, it’s the positiveness of this town. Longview gets together and they support what’s going on.”
Scattergood said the event was never intended to solve every problem facing affected families. Instead, he hoped it would provide something simpler: a place for people to gather.
“This is not going to fix everything. This is not going to heal all of our wounds,” Scattergood said. “But what this has done, it’s created a place where we can come as Cowlitz County residents and all be together.”
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