A “PIE” SOCIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 520, 1 August 1932, Page 9

A “PIE” SOCIAL.

Novel Means of Raising Money.

AN IDEA FROM CANADA

By many and devious ways are different charitably minded groups in our midst trying to raise money to aid the cases of distress in Christchurch. Dances, bridge parties, fairs and concerts have all contributed their share to the needs of the city’s poor. But the problem of the organisers of moneyraising efforts has been to find some new and different way of interesting people in their object. Now, a novel suggestion comes from a Canadian visitor writing to an exchange. ‘‘A most ingenious and amusing way of raising funds,” she says “and one which is extremely popular in Nova Scotia, might very well be tried in this country. The gathering goes by the name of ‘A pie -social,’ ‘pie’ being the name Canadians give to all their cakes which are round in shape. The affair is eagerly anticipated by young and old alike, and for days before great activity and excitement prevail. “The young girls of the place undertake the making of the pies, and much time and thought is spent on their preparation-. The greatest rivalry prevails amongst them, each girl vying with her neighbour in making her contribution the most attractive. Many of them use, as an added attraction, gay coloured paper baskets in. which to display their ‘goodies.’ Buy and Bat.

“On the morning of the great day the pies are taken to the local hall, and are here set out for inspection, each having the name of the maker underneath. It is with the keenest interest, when things are in full swing later in the day, that the young men gathered there .make their ‘tour of inspection,’ each carefully noting the name underneath his particular choice.

“Then the fun begins. The-‘pies’ are put up for auction. Excitement runs high as the spirited bidding forces the price up and up for it frequently happens that the same pie has won the fancy of more than one young man. High prices are the result anything from 10s to £1 being given for each one.

“Excitement and interest are added to the scene when parties of boys from the lumber works swell the ranks of the buyers. Flush with cash they are out to enjoy themselves, bidding recklessly in their eagerness. “At last when the pies are all sold, the lucky purchaser goes in search of the maiden whose name is underneath his particular one, and amid much laughter and merriment, and blushing embarrassment on the part of the young lady, he takes her apart, and together they taste of the dainty. The remainder is put aside for later on, and thus they are proclaimed partners for the dance in the evening. Many a happy marriage has resulted from this novel means of raising funds.”