Yuma Catholic Hosts 22nd Annual Rib Cook Off, Raises Support for School
Yuma Catholic held its 22nd Annual Rachel Determan Rib Cook Off on December 6, drawing more than a dozen vendors, families, alumni, and community members for food, activities, and a raffle that included a 1975 Plymouth Duster. The event served as a major fundraiser for the school community, highlighting local engagement and the role of grassroots events in supporting private education.
Yuma Catholic welcomed a large turn out on December 6 for the 22nd Annual Rachel Determan Rib Cook Off, a long running community event that combined competition, commerce, and family activities while raising funds for the school community. Organizers staged the cook off with more than a dozen vendors selling food on site, a series of family oriented activities, face painting for children, and a raffle that featured a 1975 Plymouth Duster among its prizes.
The event functions as both a social gathering and a fundraising engine for Yuma Catholic. Alumni and families made up a visible portion of attendees, reinforcing the cook off as an annual touch point for the school community and its supporters. Vendors reported steady foot traffic as attendees purchased meals and merchandise, converting community participation into direct financial support for school programs and operations.
Beyond immediate fundraising, the cook off illustrates how voluntary community events supplement institutional budgets and foster local civic ties. For a private school that relies in part on community support, the visibility and continuity of a 22 year tradition help maintain alumni networks and parental engagement. Local vendors and volunteer groups also benefit from the economic activity and exposure generated by the event.
The event raises broader questions about the role of community fundraising in meeting school needs. Regular, high profile fundraisers can signal strong community investment, but they also underscore how much private schools depend on extracurricular revenue streams. Local residents, school leaders, and elected officials may find value in reviewing how funds from events like this are allocated, and in ensuring transparent reporting on how proceeds support educational priorities.
As a long established community fixture, the Rachel Determan Rib Cook Off remains an important annual occasion for Yuma County. It brings together families, alumni, and local businesses, while providing a tangible financial boost to Yuma Catholic and reinforcing civic ties between the school and the wider community.
