“The Melt Down” Returns to Yamhill County, Raising Money for YCAP

For the month of February, The Melt Down returns to Yamhill County for its eighth year of bringing creative takes on the humble grilled cheese from 44 restaurants around Yamhill County, raising money for the area’s food bank support organization, Yamhill County Action Partnership (YCAP).

“We’re really excited to bring this back,” said YCAP Donor Relations and Marketing Manager Taylor McLean-Down. “Last year we raised the most money that we have ever raised through this event.”

YCAP is a Yamhill County-based nonprofit started in 1980 as part of a nationwide network of social service agencies designed to help improve the lives of low-income people and strengthen communities, according to the YCAP website. This comes through support with housing stabilization, energy services, YCAP’s Food Bank, and the Youth Services program.

The organization receives most of its funding—47%—from grants and contracts, according to YCAP’s annual financial report from 2019-2020. The rest of the organization’s revenue comes from in-kind donations (36%), donations, and fundraising revenue (11%), program revenue (5%), and other revenue.

McLean-Down said fundraising events like The Melt Down provide very useful unrestricted funds. Grant money is generally set aside for specific purposes, like an employee’s salary or a software tool. However, unrestricted funds can be used more freely, helping the organization invest in smaller but important initiatives like upgraded equipment or sourcing food (which they only source from our area per their regulations).

Last year, The Melt Down sold 12,228 sandwiches, raising more than $25,000 for the food bank, according to McLean-Down.

“We are participating because we love to be a part of a community event that gives back to our community in such a fun way,” said Chehalem Valley Brewing co-owner Taylor Smith. “This event not only provides great exposure for a lot of small businesses but does so in a way where we can all contribute and give back to our community in the process.”

A Spin on a Classic Sandwich

These sandwiches are no regular “cheese, bread, butter” grilled cheese, enjoyed frequently after school or alongside a bowl of classic tomato soup. Rather, each chef and participating restaurant puts their own unique spin on the menu item, elevating the humble offering to something far more.

Chehalem Valley Brewing, for example, created the “Dip Me in Beer Cheese,” with parmesan-crusted Texas Toast slices surrounding pepper bacon and pepper jack cheese with sliced ham.

“It is a fun upgrade from the sandwich we did last year,” Smith said. “We received great feedback last year and wanted to elevate it while still having something we know people loved.”

The restaurants are separated into divisions based on their seating capacity: Slice (small), Wedge (medium), and Wheel (large). Awards are given out based on how many sandwiches each restaurant sells. Then, there are the People’s Choice awards, where Melt Downers vote on their favorite sandwich after the month concludes.

“Last year, we won The Melt Down 2023 People’s Choice award,” said Robin Sikkens, co-owner of Social Goods in Newberg. “Which felt great—that means our food stayed with people enough to vote for it later. So we’re bringing it back, and then some more.”

And so returns the award-winning “Cheesus Crust,” a combination of four different cheeses melted between slices of Texas Toast glazed with garlic butter. Like last year, diners can choose to add house-made maple bacon jam and/or a cup of tomato soup.

Robin and Danny Sikkens wanted to provide a few other options this year which lie on opposite sides of the flavor spectrum.

“Our idea was to have a simpler, delicious, affordable sandwich,” Robin said. “Some of the sandwich options can get up to $25 or so. So we added a few other options for the whole family.”

They’re offering a more traditional, kid-friendly grilled cheese called “Baby Cheesus” that starts at $6. Then, they rounded out their “Holy Trinity” of grilled cheese sandwiches by creating the “Sweet Baby Cheesus,” a chocolate chip sourdough bread from Kalama Bakery filled with house-made chocolate chip cream cheese and Nutella and grilled. It is served with salted kettle chips to round out the sweetness, but a few slices of bacon would do the trick even better, Danny said.

“We really like dessert around here,” Danny said. “We have this awesome baker we’ve been working with, and when we saw (chocolate chip sourdough), we thought this would be an awesome way to showcase it.”

Participants can pick up sandwich guides at participating restaurants located around Yamhill County (or download a printable version at the YCAP website). One sandwich purchase goes to one sandwich stamp, meaning if you purchase five of the same sandwich at the same location, you’ll still get five stamps on your guide.

McLean-Down said they usually get a few participants who visit every location on the map, who generally receive a special, small surprise not listed on the website.

“Listen, if you visit all 44 locations over the course of the month, you deserve a little something extra,” she said. “Make sure and reach out to us if you do.”

The Melt Down 2024 Sandwiches

Newberg-Dundee only, see full list here. Presented in alphabetical order.

Barley & Vine Tavern: The Influencer (Wedge Division)

Freshly sliced mortadella, capicola, and prosciutto topped with mozzarella, balsamic reduction on freshly baked focaccia with creamy roasted red pepper spread.

Chehalem Valley Brewing: Drippin in Beer Cheese (Wheel Division)

Parmesan crusted Texas Toast stuffed with cheddar, pepper jack cheese, and a stack of pepper crusted bacon. Oh! And it comes with beer cheese to dip your sandwich in! Gluten free and vegetarian options available.

Jem 100 Ice Cream: Cheesy Smash (Wedge Division)

Cheesy smash burger with smash sauce, cheese, and bacon. Served with chips.

J’s Restaurant & Lounge: Cheesy Turkey Bacon (Wheel Division)

Three cheese, grilled turkey, bacon and tomato sandwich. Served with homemade mac & cheese or a side of your choice.

The Newbergundian Bistro: Grilled 5 Cheese! (Wedge Division)

Chef Sean’s Grilled 5 Cheese is a proprietary blend of five very different cheeses that blend together to provide you the most delectable, cheesy experience you’ve ever had in a sandwich! Served with our house made savory tomato jam, this is a sandwich that will leave you wanting more… every time! Vegetarian; gluten free option available).

Old Town Bar & Grill: Old Town Four Cheese Toastie (Wedge Division)

Parmesan crusted white bread with melted American, provolone, and cheddar cheese. Served with fries or tots. Vegetarian.

Ruddick/Wood: Captain Beefheart (Wedge Division)

Beef heart pastrami, seared kraut, spicy mustard, Emmental fondue, Russian dressing on griddled rye. Served with choice of fries or salad.

Social Goods: Cheesus Crust (Wedge Division)

The Cheesus Crust returns! This sandwich includes four different cheeses, delightfully done and melted on a thick, buttery Texas Toast that is glazed with a garlic butter and crusted nicely. Add on house bacon jam or our creamy tomato bisque. Protein add ons available. Vegetarian; gluten free available.

Social Goods is featuring a few additional sandwiches benefiting YCAP but not official sandwiches that are part of the competition:

• Baby Cheesus: A simple and very approachable melted gooey cheese sandwich on a buttery Texas toast, garlic spread. This is not the official sandwich for the Meltdown but a great compliment and will also go to benefit YCAP and our nonprofit mission This sandwich is kiddo friendly and adult soul food.
• Sweet Baby Cheesus: A great way to end the Social Goods grilled cheese holy trinity. Made with Kalama Bakery’s unique chocolate/chocolate chip sourdough bread, the middle is with our house chocolate chip cream cheese, Nutella and grill to a warm melted perfection. To add a little balance, it is served with salted kettle chips. If you’re feeling wild, add bacon.

Trellis: The Cheli (Wedge Division)

Pulled pork smothered in BBQ sauce topped with candied bacon, red onions, cheddar, and Monterey jack cheese on sourdough bread with parmesan cheese. Served with fries or tots.

Miss Hannah’s Gourmet Popcorn: Cheesy Popcorn Variety (Bonus)

Choice of: C2 Explosion, Cheesy Cheddar, Bridge City Mix, or Truffle Parmesan Gourmet Popcorn. Gluten Free and vegetarian.