Boy Scouts Serve Up Baked Bean Supper Tradition

A longstanding summer tradition in Durham has been passed on. And it couldn't be in better hands.

Boy Scouts from Troop 270 in Durham will welcome another crowd of hungry guests to a buffet of beans, salads, casserole dishes and of course, pie, at tonight's baked bean supper.

The dinner service begins at 6 p.m. at Fellowship Hall at the United Churches of Durham.

"We've been doing this for years," recalls Beverly Pedersen, who began helping with the suppers in 1961.

"Making pies," she says.

A supper plate will set you back $8, or $28 for a family of four or more. It's a small price to pay for home cooking and a seat next to your neighbor.

For many years, the suppers served as a main fundraiser for the Women’s Society for Christian Service (WSCS). Today, the reigns have been handed over to the Boy Scouts who use the money they raise for camping trips or other troop needs.

"It's been great," Pedersen says. "They haven't broken a dish."

"I like helping people out so they don't have to cook," says Boy Scout Jake Amendola. "They come here and we feed them for $8."

The WSCS used to offer six dinners, which start in late June and continue through August. The Boy Scouts now offer four.

The menu has changed little over the years, with the addition of green beans and subtraction of the not-so-popular hot dogs.

"There's always pies," says Boy Scout Mikey Pellegrino. "And there's beans."