It is hard to believe our fantastic, fabulous, flavorful, fancy, fun, First Friday Fish Fry (outside of Lent) to benefit St. Gianna Women’s Homes has started its sixth year! Can I say ‘fabtastic’? Since the ladies who are escaping abortion and domestic violence come to us without the resources to support themselves, the proceeds from this program are a help.
Our menu has slightly changed over the years, as the cheesy potatoes have edged out my potato pancakes. I will get over it someday. Our latest menu includes, baked cod, fried pollack, shrimp, tuna noodle casserole (from scratch), baked or cheesy potatoes (from scratch), coleslaw (from scratch) with tartar and cocktail sauces (from scratch) with a complementary dessert. Because of popular demand, we have available frozen tuna casserole and cheesy potatoes for two which can be cooked in your oven at home at your convenience.
As many know, we have one rule which we enforce strictly, no one may leave without first having consumed dessert. This rule is easy to enforce because we have installed a high tech ‘dessert-o-scanner’ at the exit. Fortunately, no one (to my knowledge) has ever left without having exercised their sweet tooth. The only challenge is making a decision on what dessert item to choose, since the choices are legion.
During our last fish fry, one of our volunteers took a break in our back parking lot and was met by man on a bicycle who was interested in talking. After a few minutes, our volunteer learned it was a man who had previously been unemployed and was fortunate enough to have found a job. His bike was his way of getting around town. He did not ask for money but rather for any food we could give him. He explained he would not be paid for a week. Little did he know we were in the midst of our monthly fish fry. He was given a premium meal in a ‘to-go’ box. Since he was on a bike, he ate it on the spot and rode away happy.
Did not our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ say, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40)?
Please keep the continued success of this fun fish fry in your prayers as we keep you in ours. St. Gianna, pray for us!
