Hundreds of community members are flocking to fish fries on the first Friday of the Lenten season.
In Waggaman, St. John Paul II Church started prepping Thursday night, ready to serve nearly 300 meals during their first lunch and dinner service.
Richard Kimball is the chairman of the Lenten fish fry and St. John Paul II. He said many parishes, including their own, have been struggling to keep up with bills as prices continue to soar. This annual event helps them fill the gap. He’s also hopeful that it can serve as a catalyst to bring people back to the pews.
“I’m hoping too, though, that it may inspire them, if some of them are away from church, they may think, ‘Oh well, maybe I can come back to church,'” Kimball said.
Fifteen minutes away, but also on the West Bank, the Westwego Volunteer Fire Department has several crews frying up fish and shrimp.
“Last year, we had people drive in from (Bay) St. Louis, Mississippi, to eat our meal,” said Westwego fire Chief Ken Bouvier.
For the department, this is an opportunity to raise money that pours right into their fundraising pool. Those funds can go directly to whatever the department needs, whether it be new equipment, events, or efforts to retain more volunteer firefighters.
“We fry our fish and shrimp with love here at the fire department,” Bouvier said.
For a full list of local fish fries, click here.
READ MORE:First Lenten fish fries draw hundreds to West Bank
