You may know that the United Service Organization Northwest (USONW) has a location on McChord Field. You may also know that its Shali Center is the only non-profit organization on Joint Base Lewis-McChord that takes care of deploying troops after they say their goodbyes. Now, the USONW is expanding its services to active-duty Servicemembers on JBLM that aren't deploying with a new program called "No Dough Dinners."

"A No Dough Dinner is a free special dinner," said Andrew Oczkewicz, JBLM's USONW manager. "It is put on by USO volunteers for Servicemembers the day before payday because that's when they usually have "no dough.'"

The program originally began at the USO in Japan and was called the "Pay Pigout." It then spread to Fort Riley, Kan., and has now been implemented at JBLM.

The first No Dough Dinner took place Jan. 14 for Soldiers of the 52nd Medical Brigade. On the menu was a 73 ½ -pound tri-tip served open faced with mashed potatoes, green beans and an ice-cream sundae for dessert. There was also a free raffle for a $100 gift certificate.

"I saw a Soldier build a 7-inch sundae," Oczkewicz said, "and the Soldier who most wanted to win the raffle did. He was so excited he began jumping up and down. Then he got on the phone and started calling friends. This program is out of our comfort zone because we don't usually serve meals on a regular basis and are more well-known for our chili-cheese dogs and made-to-order sandwiches. But No Dough Dinners is a great way to serve all of our Armed Forces." 

Here's how it works: USONW selects and invites a different JBLM unit each month and serves dinner to 100 of its Soldiers or Airmen (single and married, and rear detachment, as well). One dinner is served at 5 p.m. and another at 6 p.m. for groups of 50, and the menu changes monthly. There are no criteria for selection of units; however, command leadership will need to provide transportation to The Shali Center. No Dough Dinners will take place on the 14th of each month and include more free raffles. The menu for February will be Italian dinners.

"Kathy Fies sponsored the first dinner," Oczkewicz said, "and we had live entertainment by Charlie Brown and invited a guest chef (his brother, Chef Paul Oczkewicz). He loved it so much that he's agreed to volunteer regularly for the event."

Individuals or businesses can sponsor a dinner for $600 and they - individuals and the business's employees - will be invited to dine with the Servicemembers.

"In summer, we'll also invite Servicemembers and their families," Oczkewicz said, "and serve it outside on the patio. We estimate we can accommodate 200 to 300 military families. It'll be a family thing at the USO. Too often, we only see Soldiers during deployments. With this program, we can now include their loved ones, too."

USONW serves families throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. For more information, call Oczkewicz at (253) 589-8772 or (253) 982-1100.