Pick up a chicken barbecue meal on Saturday, Aug. 15, and you'll not only enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner. You'll help fund the future for local students pursuing higher education.

The Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual chicken barbecue from 10 a.m. until sold out at the Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy. Prepaid meals must be picked up by 1 p.m.

Each meal will contain a half chicken from Peters' BBQ, a baked potato, applesauce, a roll from The Gathering Place and a whoopie pie from Memorable Occasions by Marie.

Proceeds from the barbecue will support scholarships for students in the Mount Joy area. This year, the Chamber provided two $500 scholarships to Janus School students, as well as two $1,500 scholarships to Donegal students.

"Jordan Helsel received the Business Education Award, given to the graduating senior who earns the highest grade in the business education course at Donegal High School," explained Michele Emenheiser, executive director of the Chamber. "Joselyn Gerig was awarded the Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce $1,500 scholarship. She was chosen by a committee made up of Chamber members Galen Dise, Galen M. Dise LLC Accounting Services; Joseph McIlhenney, Milanof-Schock Library; Rose Madar, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty; Denise Snyder-Patch, The Hess Agency; and Rodney Garber, Activate Your Influence."

Students Anavah Viselli and Adam Billaud were the recipients of this year's scholarships for the Janus School.

The money from the barbecue also goes to support Chamber and community events, Emenheiser said.

She encourages people to pick up a meal but also to make time to enjoy festivities happening at the library during the barbecue.

"The library will also have their (End-of-Summer Reading) Bash on Aug. 15, and they have some fun things planned, so make a day of it!" she said.

Along with helping students in the community, the Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce works to strengthen the greater Mount Joy region.

"Many people think of the Chamber as just a networking group, but we do so much more," Emenheiser said. "We also serve as a resource, a promoter and a community partner, working to connect people with the businesses, events and opportunities that make Mount Joy a great place to live, work, play and shop."

She emphasized that the barbecue relies on Chamber members who sponsor it, as well as volunteers who make sure the event runs smoothly.

Sponsors include Brightspeed, which participates because the business believes in connecting people and communities, said Sabrina Anderson, local marketing manager.

"We're proud to support the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce as they host their 31st annual chicken barbecue - an event that brings neighbors together, celebrates local businesses and creates opportunities for connection both online and in the heart of Mount Joy," she shared.

Other barbecue sponsors include GCM, Engle Printing & Publishing, Fox Chapel Publishing, Motive Financial Services, Rhino Excavating & Construction, The Gathering Place and Weaver Associates.

"Construction is about building relationships just as much as building structures," said Danny Tanner, GCM director of operations. "At GCM, we value the opportunity to serve our community, support local initiatives and work alongside others who are committed to making a positive impact, like the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce."

Tickets for the barbecue may be purchased at JB Hostetter & Sons, 1225 W. Main St., Mount Joy, or the Milanof-Schock Library. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Chamber office at 717-653-0773. Prepurchasing tickets is strongly encouraged, but a limited number of meals will be available at the event.