Thanks to the help of thousands of barbecue fans, several Oak Harbor-based charities received a shot in the arm this week.

Proceeds from the Fidalgo Avenue Block Party and Pig Roast that took place last month raised $12,000 that will benefit the nonprofits based in the area of Fidalgo Avenue.

Scott Fraser, owner of Fraser’s Gourmet Hideaway and organizer of the pig roast, was pleased with the amount raised this year. He noted it was an increase from last year, which brought in approximately $10,000.

“This year we had good sponsorship and good donations,” Fraser said Wednesday as he was doling out checks.

The North Whidbey Help House, a food bank located on Hathaway Street, received $6,000; Youth Dynamics received $2,000; Medical Safety Net of North Whidbey received $2,000; and Whidbey Island Share a Home received $2,000.

Fraser said the strong sponsorship of the latest pig roast covered the costs of organizing the event and the money raised throughout the day was funneled toward charities.

Sponsors included Island Thrift, Boeing, New Leaf, Les Schwab, Ace Hardware, Guild Mortgage, P and L Construction, Waste Management and Windermere Realty.

The Fidalgo Avenue Block Party and Pig Roast is a free barbecue lunch that is organized by Fraser and friends. This year, cooks prepared 2,000 pounds of pork and the day included a beer garden, a homemade beer contest, professional and amateur barbecuing contests along with live music.

While the event is free, organizers asked for donations for the local charities.

Fraser estimated that 3,500 people went through the food line while 1,200 sampled the best the contestants had to offer. He added that a significant number of people, in the neighborhood of 5,000, showed up to enjoy the day.