Taste of Merced County and Beyond: Drive through dining

The Merced Elks Lodge will host a drive-through dining experience from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Elks Lodge, 1910 M St.

For $10 customers will get a juicy pork loin, scalloped potatoes, green beans, salad and a roll. Proceeds will benefit Elks charities such as scholarships, Challenged Children, youth activities and veterans services.

For more information, call (209) 723-1240.

Dhyana Levey -

MERCED

Dinner to help women

Mary's Mantle Maternity Home will host a fundraiser dinner and auction at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at a home at 2440 Piedmont in Merced.

Social hour and silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m by chef Vinnie DeAngelo.

Admission is $55 per person or $100 for a couple. Senate Republican Leader James L. Brulte will be the speaker.

For more information, call (209) 383-1932 or (209) 761-9180.

MERCED

Tri-tip on the menu

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced will hold its Kiddieland tri-tip dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Applegate Park.

The cost is $25 and proceeds will go to repair and renovate the train, rides and other youth service programs that the Kiwanis Club supports.

Donations may also be made by calling (209) 722-1541 or (209) 385-7594 or go to greatermercedkiwanis.org.

MERCED

Carnitas for the fair

Club Mercedes will host a fundraiser for the local nonprofit group Friends of Merced County Fair from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at 569 W. Ninth St.

Doors open at 3 p.m. and no early-bird diners will be served. Sales are limited to 400 dinners.

The menu includes carnitas with beans, rice and tortillas. Customers can dine in or take-out. The cost is $10 per person.

For more information call (209) 658-5650 or (209) 761-4258.

MERCED

Breakfast for a cause

The Merced Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4327, serves breakfast on the third Saturday of each month in the east wing of the Veterans Memorial Building, 939 W. Main St.

Scrambled eggs, pancakes and sausage with coffee and orange juice are served from 8 to 11 a.m.

Tickets are $5. For more information, call (209) 722-0940.

LA GRANGE

Pancakes each month

The La Grange Rebekah Lodge No. 323 hosts a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. on the third Sunday of each month at the La Grange IOOF Hall, Yosemite Avenue (Main Street).

Biscuits and gravy, cheese omelet and fresh fruit plus drinks will be served. Biscuits are baked at 6 a.m., so come early. No item costs more than $4, and the proceeds go to support the local elementary school.

For more information, call (209)853-2101 or e-mail miramontes1123@yahoo.com.

If you'd like to submit information for Taste of Merced County e-mail Carol Reiter at creiter@mercedsun-star.com or send a fax to (209) 385-2460.