SUBMITTED PHOTO Kristin Polley and Ann Isgrig, members of the Assistance League of Marshalltown, practice making chicken pot pies for a new fundraiser. The organization is selling pot pies with proceeds benefiting the community of Marshalltown.

The history of the comforting, crusted meat pie stretches back to Roman times. The first recorded chicken pot pie recipe carries a date of 1796, and in 2023, 40 Assistance League of Marshalltown members began practicing the art of creating chicken pot pies.

The organization is bringing back the yearly frozen chicken pot pie fundraiser, which began on Monday and ends Sept. 8. It is a sale which was eagerly anticipated for years in Marshalltown when UnityPoint Health Auxiliary members made pies benefiting the hospital. Many years, the Auxiliary pies would sell out, or come close to it.

Anna Randall, the Pot Pie Committee chair, said the League decided to take on the fundraiser after dropping the annual Fall Thrift Sale. Randall said there was a decline of activity with the thrift sale, and they wanted to try something new.

“This is our first year of doing pot pies,” she said. “We believe the pot pies will allow us to bring back something the Auxiliary did years ago, something fun to bring back. The Auxiliary ladies thought it would be a great idea for us to take that up.”

Even though the League is picking up the annual tradition, Randall said their 10-inch pies will not be the same as the Auxiliary’s. However – the classic ingredients will be present – chicken, carrots, peas, green beans, onions and gravy. The League did ask Auxiliary members who previously made the savory pastries to provide some guidance in the fundraiser and the culinary practice.

Getting the word out about the fundraiser, Randall said they already have received more than 200 orders at $20 per pie.

“It’s been a good response,” she said.

All proceeds from the Chicken Pot Pies – Fundraiser for the Assistance League of Marshalltown will be distributed in the community. Randall said the League has previously given to YSS, the YMCA/YWCA and the House of Compassion – just to name a few organizations which have benefited.

“We help throughout the community,” she said. “One hundred percent will be given back to Marshalltown and the surrounding communities.”

Randall said the League is only making 2,000 chicken pot pies, and she hopes they will meet that limit.

“The Auxiliary used to make 3,500 per year,” she said. “If it goes well, we will do it every year, as long as there is a good response.”

League members will begin building the frozen pies on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 in the kitchen of the First Presbyterian Church. Customers will be able to pick up their orders on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 at the church. To make sure the pastries stay frozen, JBS donated a refrigerated truck for the League to use.

Orders can be placed online and a link is on the League’s Facebook page, in the Lillie Mae Chocolates store, or at one of two event locations. Randall said the League will have a table in HyVee on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at the Harvest Market on Sept. 8.

CHICKEN POT PIES

To place orders online:

assistanceleagueofmarshalltown.myshopify.com//

In-person orders:

Lillie Mae Chocolates, 217 N. 13th St.

Cost: $20

Pick-up dates: Oct. 20 and Oct. 21

Pick-up location: First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Center St.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.