On Saturday, October 22, Newtown Congregational Church (UCC) will again host its popular Mississippi BBQ & Shrimp Boil to benefit Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Miss.

The event is returning to a sit-down format this year, although a limited number of prepaid takeout dinners will be available through reservation.

Doors open at 5:30 pm and the bountiful buffet-style meal will be served for indoor dining at 6 pm. The church is at 14 West Street.

The meal will again feature a “low-country boil” with shrimp, sausage, and potatoes; Larry Whippie’s famous BBQ chicken; salad, roll, and dessert. Choice of beverage is also included for dine-in guests.

Cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. A limited number of prepaid take-out orders can be picked up at 6 pm. Reservations are encouraged via rebrand.ly/22bbq, 203-449-6528 or 734-645-6909.

Directions for prepayment using a credit card will be provided. Dine-in guests may also pay with cash or check at the door.

The church and its Back Bay Adult Work Team have lots of reasons to be excited this year. First, after transforming the usual indoor fundraiser to a sold-out “drive through only” event in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, the team looks forward to welcoming an enthusiastic and hungry crowd for inside dining. The team is also excited to return to Biloxi to work in February after a two-year Covid hiatus. As volunteers, they’ll be helping with housing rehabilitation, new home construction, and some client services such as food distribution, laundry and showers.

Additionally, everyone is excited to celebrate Back Bay Mission’s 100th anniversary and its plans for the future. Over its 100 years, Back Bay Mission has responded to the needs of Gulf Coast immigrants and migrants, those living in poverty, and those who are unsheltered.

In its early days, Back Bay provided food, shelter, medical care, and education for impoverished workers in the burgeoning gulf coast seafood industry. In the 1960s Back Bay took an active role in advocating for civil rights and integration. Disastrous hurricanes such as Katrina prompted the current focus on housing rehabilitation and accessibility.

As Back Bay looks forward it plans to renovate current facilities, accelerate services including mental health support and temporary housing, and to continue its work to strengthen neighborhoods, seek justice, and transform lives. Read more about this United Church of Christ outreach at thebackbaymission.org/. Donations are welcome.