Special to the Index
Hungry? Palo Pinto Challenge Inc. – makers of Hale Center Salsa, Jalapeño Cruzers and Jal-O-Dollies – has some answers.
The non-profit organization is taking orders for tamales now through Oct. 30. Call (940) 325-7100 or (254) 672-5891 and leave an order. Tamale pick-up takes place:
• Nov. 13 in Mineral Wells, 4-5:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church.
• Nov. 14 in Strawn, 11 a.m. to noon at the First Methodist Church.
Palo Pinto Challenge Inc. teaches life and job skills to mentally challenged adults in the county.
“We provide training for those challenged adults who have finished their public school training and need a place to continue learning how to get along in the world and have pride in themselves,” said President Jennifer Elmore. “Right now we have four salsa makers and two former salsa makers out in the county that we work with still.
“We use the production and marketing of three products, Hale Center Salsa, Jalapeño Cruzers and Jal-O-Dollies, to teach job and life skills,” Elmore added.
“Our annual budget is more than $80,000, with the products we sell just paying for the products themselves. This budget would be much harder to meet without the help we get from United Way,” said Elmore.
In September and October Palo Pinto Challenge Inc. participates in United Way fundraisers, Elmore said. In addition, she said the organization's board has helped support the United Way through several fundraising activities this fall.
“We helped with the spaghetti supper sponsored by Flossie’s in Strawn, at the home of Pamela and Eddie McQueary. We are also selling tickets for a portable DVD player donated by the First United Methodist Church in Strawn,” she added.
The November, February and April tamale sales also support programs and PPCI's big fundraiser is the Salsa Barons’ Ball on the last Saturday in February.
“It is a good time with a chance to help challenged adults build self esteem,” said Elmore. “It is not a real 'ball' in the formal sense, dress is casual and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. But it is a 'BALL' in the sense that you will have a ball while you are there!”
Palo Pinto Challenge is located in Strawn at 215 Central and sells its products in 15 stores in Palo Pinto, Parker and Erath counties.
“We take special orders for the holidays if you call (940) 325-7100 or (254) 672-5891 for all of our products,” she added. “The deadline for Christmas [orders] is Dec. 1.”
“What we have in Palo Pinto Challenge is a group of fine adults who work with pride in themselves and their products. Come by to see us sometime,” Elmore added.
