Volunteers struggle to keep up with demand for barbecue fundraiser pre-orders

People have been ordering ribs like hot cakes, and huge grills outside Kathleen Middle School await the thousands of ribs that will be cooked at this Saturday's fundraiser.

Annette Rowe barely got a chance to catch her breath today -- the schoolteacher is taking pre-orders for a barbecue fundraiser benefiting her friend Sarah Kocab, the dean of students at Kathleen Middle School.

"For Sarah, I came in," she said. "I've been here last week and this week answering phones."

Sarah Kocab was married to Tampa police Officer Jeff Kocab. He and Officer David Curtis were murdered two weeks ago.

The fundraiser proceeds will help Curtis' wife, who has four children, and Kocab's wife, who is nine months pregnant.

"With as many phone calls we've had and so many people are going to walk right in, I think we're going to end up running out," Rowe said.

By noon today there were already 1200 pre-orders -- but they haven't run out yet. They began loading the first 2,000 ribs into a freezer truck, which they plan to sell at the fundraiser. However, they still have 1,000 more that can be pre-ordered.

The barbecue will be held on July 17, from 11a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pre-orders are being taken via:

* Kathleen Middle School 863-853-6040 or 863-853-6041 (Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
* Running with Scissors. 863-815-1234
* Family Press 863-859-3469
* Email Trista Sherouse - ribsfundraiser@gmail.com with your name, a pick up time and how many slabs you want.

Check out our full list of fundraisers and donation drop-off points for the fallen officers' families.