A party is in the works and organizers are hoping locals will turn out in big numbers for some fun and food for a good cause.

Staci Wilson, marketing and training director for South Central Alabama Mental Health, said next month’s Communities Care Backyard BBQ is the fourth annual installment of a fundraiser that benefits the organization’s many programs.

“When we started this four years ago, the money was earmarked for our children’s program,” Wilson said. “But now that we have that up and running, it just goes towards all of our different programs.”

And there are many programs to fund, Wilson said.

“Since all of the hospital closures around the state, we get a lot of people here that need somewhere to go,” she said. “The Montezuma complex (in Andalusia) is now a crisis residential home. It’s just a step out from a hospital. We also have two new group homes in the Greenville and Garland areas.”

This year’s event, which will take place Sat., March 15, at the Kiwanis community center in Andalusia, is going to have a little something for everyone, Wilson said.

“This is a family event. We are going to have a buffet style dinner with someone smoking Boston butts. We’ll have coleslaw from David’s Catfish House, dessert and all kinds of food.”

On the entertainment front, Wilson said the night’s activities will be headlined by country music artist and Sansom native Shane Owens, and will also include a silent auction.

“We have some great items this year,” she said. “We have four tickets to Talladega for the Aaron’s 499 in May; a package from Wind Creek (casino and hotel in Atmore) that includes a one-night stay for two; two tickets to Dollywood; two tickets to the executive club with the Montgomery Biscuits; all sorts of good stuff.”

Wilson said other big-ticket items to be auctioned off will include a leather recliner and a “Cracker Barrel” rocking chair.

“We’re going to try to close out the auction before the concert begins,” Wilson said. “This is a western-themed event, so we want to encourage everyone to put on their jeans and boots and come on out.”

Wilson said tickets for the event are $20 in advance; $25 at the door; and children12 and under are admitted for free. She added that sponsorships are also currently available for any area businesses that would like to be part of the event.

“Our goal is to try to raise at least $20,000,” she said. “We’d like to raise at least half of that in sponsorships, monetary donations and ticket sales.”

Wilson said she is hoping for a great turnout.

“We have a lot going on and I have plenty of food; I just need people to feed,” she said.

The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 334.428.5050.

South Central Alabama Mental Health serves Butler, Coffee, Covington and Crenshaw counties.