Walid Al-jabiri, chief of the Fluvanna Volunteer Fire Department, is pictured inside the department’s Fluvanna Avenue hall. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the fire department to alter how it raises funds, from hosting Bingo to selling chicken. P-J photos by Eric Tichy

Some area volunteer fire departments have had to get creative in regards to fundraising efforts as the COVID-19 pandemic has zapped previous sources of much-needed money.

The Fluvanna Volunteer Fire Department has begun offering Chiavetta’s chicken barbecues the last two months. The department, up until COVID forced the scaling back of large gatherings, has held Bingo at the fire hall every Tuesday.

According to Fluvanna Fire Chief Walid Al-jabiri, the Bingo operation — a popular fundraiser for many volunteer departments across the country — brought in about $9,000 a quarter that helped pay for electricity for the fire hall, building insurance and vehicle maintenance. The fire district pays for the equipment, supplies and vehicle fuel.

“We took a massive impact with the loss of revenue,” Al-jabiri said of ending Bingo, which he also called the “lifeline and artery” for revenue on the volunteer side of the department.

“We had to think of a solution,” he continued. “You can’t have public places open because of the state mandate. According to the governor’s rules, we weren’t allowed to host any gatherings. So the only viable solution to generate funds within those guidelines have been the chicken barbecues.”

The Fluvanna Fire Department is selling vehicle magnets as part of its fundraising efforts.

The first offering, held in June, involved the fire department partnering with Chiavetta’s. Fire officials had hoped to sell at least 500 meals, with proceeds going back to the department to make up for lost Bingo revenue. Al-jabiri said cars began lining up at 10:15 a.m. the morning of the first barbecue, a sign demand and community support was ample.

Within the first 30 minutes, he said 60% of the meals sold, and by the end of the day, 720 were sold netting a profit of about $2,300.

Results were similar in July, and the department is eying another meal fundraiser this month.

“The citizens of our community have been very, very supportive and very generous for our cause because they understand we try to reach out and make it well-known that 85% of all fire departments in the United States are volunteer departments,” Al-jabiri said. “Only 15% of them are paid. So the majority of the work is getting done by the volunteers. Some of the work does take out of your budget a little bit.”

The pandemic has hurt the bottom line of other volunteer organizations. The Gerry Fire Department is expected to lose out on a significant source of income with the cancellation of this year’s annual rodeo, which takes place each year in early August.

In a statement in June, rodeo chairman Tom Atwell said forgoing the event this year due to COVID-19 was the “toughest decision they ever made,” noting that the rodeo provided the Gerry Fire Department with much of its operating budget.

Like in Fluvanna, Gerry fire officials turned to offering to-go meals to the public. This past Saturday and Sunday, the department sold its traditional beef barbecue dinners — typically a staple at the rodeo — in a drive-through event.

The Frewsburg Fire Department on Saturday sold hot dogs, hamburgers and Italian sausages. Proceeds went back to the fire department.

In Bemus Point, the volunteer fire department has monitored its purchases closely as fundraisers have come to a halt. The most notable sources of income came from breakfasts held in the fall and spring.

“When this rolled around we didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Jeff Molnar, assistant chief and public information officer.

There has been talks about hosting a chicken barbecue fundraiser in Bemus Point, but Molnar said the No. 1 priority at the moment is providing fire protection to the community and keeping volunteers said.

The pandemic also has put a damper on the department itself, which was in the midst of celebrating its 100th anniversary. The historic achievement will be recognized next year, Molnar said.

“The community has been very appreciative of our efforts and they let us know how much they appreciate what we are doing,” Molnar said. “It’s certainly a good feeling.”