A grilled cheese sandwich may last only a few minutes. The comfort attached to it can reach much farther--back to childhood kitchens, familiar hands, and the feeling that someone cared enough to make something warm.
That connection sits at the center of the second annual Grilled Cheese Festival, scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom in Hope Mills. The fundraiser brings food trucks, music, children's activities, local vendors, and craft beer pairings together in support of the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County.
"Grilled cheese is more than comfort food," said Mary Sonnenberg, president of the Partnership. "For many of us, it brings back memories of home, childhood and being cared for. Those same feelings of security, connection and support are at the heart of the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County's mission."
That mission is to empower families, advance children's well-being and strengthen Cumberland County's early care and education system. The organization helps families connect with childcare, early education, developmental support, parenting resources and other services. Sonnenberg said the need is not always a lack of programs; sometimes it is the difficulty of finding them and navigating several systems at once.
"A lack of transportation can make it difficult to reach a childcare provider," she said. "Limited childcare availability can affect a parent's ability to work. A work schedule may prevent a family from attending an appointment or completing an application during regular business hours."
The festival gives the Partnership an inviting way to make those resources more visible. Sonnenberg calls it both a fundraiser and a "friend raiser," an opportunity to meet families, welcome new supporters and turn a shared meal into lasting advocacy.
"People may come for the cheese, but we hope they stay connected to the cause," she said.
Daniele Malvesti Petti, the Partnership's community engagement administrator, provided the detailed competition and attendee information for the event. Five contenders will compete for the Big Cheese crown. Defending champion Bus Stop Melts returns with a classic blend of sharp cheddar, Muenster and smoked Gouda. Cousins Maine Lobster will add Maine lobster to its entry. Once Upon a Bite | Bookish Bistro will serve a sandwich inspired by "A Court of Thorns and Roses," while G-Ma's Fried Ribs & Southern Cooking combines pulled pork with macaroni and cheese. Household Catering 6 will offer vegan tomato-basil provolone and a turkey patty melt.
Ticket holders receive tokens that may be exchanged for samples at dedicated grab-and-go lines. Guests can spread their tokens among several competitors or return to a favorite, then vote for the second annual Big Cheese Champion. The food trucks will also sell items from their regular menus, and Dirtbag Ales will offer a suggested beer pairing for each competition sandwich.
Tickets are available at ccpfc.org/cheesy. Packages include four- and seven-sample options. On festival day, a four-sample package will cost $20 and must be purchased electronically through QR codes posted at the event. Tasting tokens cannot be used for beer, drinks, merchandise, or regular-menu purchases.
Five-Star Entertainment will provide music throughout the afternoon. The event will also include children's activities, a marketplace of local vendors and opportunities to learn about the Partnership's programs. Parking is available on the Dirtbag Ales property, and well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. The festival is expected to continue in light rain, with a covered pavilion and other sheltered areas available. Severe weather could delay or modify activities.
The first festival sold more than 500 tickets and generated nearly $12,000 in cash and in-kind support. Sonnenberg said those resources strengthened outreach, family engagement, and connections to early-learning services. This year's proceeds will help address needs that traditional funding may not cover while expanding awareness of assistance already available.
The work continues after the last sandwich is served. Businesses can sponsor family events, donate children's books or professional services, encourage employees to volunteer and invite the Partnership into other community gatherings. Sonnenberg pointed to Little Land 2027, scheduled for March 13 at the Crown Expo Center, and story times at the Partnership's Learning Library as additional opportunities to participate.
"When businesses invest in children, they are also investing in the future workforce, resilience and overall strength of our community," she said.
Success on Nov. 7 will be counted in dollars and attendance, but not by those measures alone. It will also appear in the parent who discovers a useful resource, the customer who meets a local business and the guest who leaves understanding that a child's strong start is a community responsibility.
The sandwiches will disappear. The champion will be crowned. If the afternoon works as intended, the relationships formed around those tables will remain, carrying the warmth of a familiar meal into work that helps Cumberland County's children thrive.

(Photo: Mary Sonnenberg, president of the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, left, presents Bus Stop Melts owner Kerry Washburn with the Big Cheese award at the 2025 Grilled Cheese Festival. Photo courtesy of Mary Sonnenberg)