Lenten fish fries are more than a Western Pennsylvania Catholic tradition. They are nationwide and also found in Protestant faith communities as well as secular groups. Serving up fish dinners to the public is a great way to raise funds, not just for churches, but also for fire companies and other nonprofits. Get a big slab of fried or baked fish, a soft roll, some coleslaw and french fries, and you’ll hardly think you’re making a Lenten sacrifice. Add the haluski, mac and cheese, pierogies and other dishes often served, and it feels like a downright sinful indulgence. The bad news is that the pandemic has been rough for entities that rely on fish fry fundraisers. Many had to cancel outright or turn to serving takeout-only meals. The good news is that there are still plenty of fish fries, both eat-in and takeout, planned throughout the region this year. You might have to travel a little farther to find one, but they’ll be out there. Be warned, though, that those who are forging ahead have encountered supply chain disruptions, increased costs for food and other supplies and challenges in lining up volunteers. So when you sit down to your Lenten fish feast — even if the price is a little higher this year — remember to give thanks to those who made it possible for you to enjoy. Working together A large number of area fish fries are hosted by either a church or a fire department. In Crabtree, those two entities have joined forces. For more than 25 years, the meal was served by the Crabtree Volunteer Fire Department. In 2021, for the first time, nearby St. Bartholomew Church joined in the process. "In the past, we have not done the fish fry because the fire department did,” said the Rev. Justin Matro, the pastor at St. Bartholomew. "Last year, they approached us and said they’d been having trouble getting enough volunteers. They asked if we could team up, and I said, ‘Hey, I’d love that.’ ” After the church received approval from the Diocese of Greensburg, the two groups rolled up their sleeves and got cooking. "Most of the fire department people are also parishioners, so they’re equally invested in both,” Matro said. "The work and meal pickup is all done at the fire department, but we give the larger part of the staff. And then we split the profits.” Because the firefighters have been doing the fish fry for years, they have a pretty good system in place. "They’re either cooking or overseeing the cooking,” Matro said. "It takes a lot more people to prep the meals and assemble them as the orders come in, so that’s where we’re using almost all of our parishioners.” The 2021 fish fry was takeout-only and that will be the case again this year. In 2023, the groups hope to welcome diners back inside. "Next year, we’ll probably be at the church, because we’re renovating our kitchen a bit,” Matro said. "The fire department kitchen is a little small, and ours is a nice size. If we’re able to do next year in our Marian Hall, we’ll be able to have people come in and sit down.” Since food costs have gone up, "dinner prices will be a little higher this year,” fire Chief Bill Watkins said. It also took a little more effort than usual to find a good supply of fish. "I wouldn’t say we have an endless supply, but we should be good for the whole year,” he said. They’ll be serving fried cod with coleslaw and french fries, and baked cod with pierogies and slaw. Haluski and mac and cheese also will be available. Matro has sampled the fish and gives it a thumbs-up: "I’ll tell you, it’s some of the best I’ve ever had.” Proceeds from the fish fry probably cover between 10% and 20% of the fire department’s annual costs, Watkins said. Besides the financial benefit, participating in the fish fry has other benefits for the church. "It taps into a whole new volunteer pool,” Matro said. "With something shorter-termed like this, you get a lot of people who’ve never tried (volunteering) before. It builds our community.” It also introduces church members and their pastor to local residents who might not have come through the church doors. "We encounter a lot of people who are local who may not have been active in the church,” Matro said. "I’m out there in my habit the whole time, so I get into a lot of nice conversations with people. So it’s also an opportunity for some evangelization.” It’s a lot of work, Watkins said, but "the community wants it and looks forward to it.” Fish fries will be offered from 4:30 to 7 p.m. starting Ash Wednesday, which is March 2, and Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday, at the fire hall at 1610 Latrobe Crabtree Road, about 6 miles northeast of downtown Greensburg in Unity. Orders for the takeout-only meals can be called in to 724-837-2231 or 724-838-7734. Back to dine-in The Lenten fish fry also is an important fundraiser for the Highland Hose Fire Company in Tarentum. The fish fry was canceled partway through in 2020 because of the pandemic and last year was takeout only. It returns this year for dine-in as well as to-go orders. Robert Stoebener, president of Highland Hose Fire Company, said they contacted their fish supplier, Land & Sea in Monroeville, to check on the availability. "We did have to raise the price a little to cover the cost of the fish,” Stoebener said. "The fish fry is so important to the fire company. We appreciate all of the community support. We will be here this year with really good fish and shrimp dinners.” Hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. in the fire hall at 401 E. Eighth Ave. starting Ash Wednesday and each Friday in Lent. The menu includes a fish sandwich or shrimp dinner with coleslaw and french fries. Fish sandwiches also will be available. For details, call 724-224-0999. Fish, and more There is fish and more at the Lower Burrell Fire Department No. 1 Kinloch’s fish fry. Chief Ted Hereda said they did some extra planning this year and purchased items earlier, which saved on some additional expenses. They are prepared for additional customers with not as many fish fries happening this year. The menu includes fish dinners, crabcakes and shrimp, as well as homemade macaroni and cheese and haluski, vegetable medley and grilled cheese and chicken strips. "We are always busy, which is a good thing,” Hereda said. "It’s an event people look forward to every year. They get to share a meal and see people they might not have seen in a while. Fish fries are about community.” The hall is at 915 New York Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Ash Wednesday and then every Friday. For details, call 724-339-7537 or 724-212-3120. Take it to-go It will be takeout-only at the Mount St. Peter Catholic Church fish fry in New Kensington. Chairperson Maria Tallarico said the parish decided to do it that way this year. They are serving a simpler menu this year, too. There will be a fried fish dinner with steak fries and coleslaw and bun. People can add a side of macaroni and cheese. All of the cod is hand-breaded, Tallarico said. "It’s a nice-sized piece of cod,” she said. The coleslaw and macaroni and cheese are homemade, and their fish supplier is Land & Sea in Monroeville. The church uses fresh buns from Fazio’s Pizza & Italian Food in Arnold. Tallarico said they realize they might be busier with fewer fish fries happening this year. They will be prepared, she said. "The past two years have been challenging, but we love the fish fry and our volunteers can’t wait to see everyone,” Tallarico said. "The fish fry is more than a place to get something to eat. It’s about community.” The church is at 100 Freeport Road. It will be open Fridays in Lent but not Ash Wednesday or Good Friday. Masks will be required. Call-in orders will be accepted from 2 to 6 p.m. Fridays. Walk-in orders are accepted in Marble Hall from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays. For details, call 724-335-1458 or visit newkensingtoncatholic.org. Partnering for Brother Andre’s Cafe At Divine Mercy Parish in Epiphany Church, beside the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, the fish fry starts on Ash Wednesday and continues on Fridays in Lent. There won’t be a fish fry on Good Friday. The menu will include fried or baked fish sandwiches, and sides include french fries, homemade coleslaw, macaroni and cheese and applesauce. The church is partnering with Brother Andre’s Cafe, a nonprofit organization at the church that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They will sell desserts and coffee. "The fish cost is higher than usual this year and volunteers are slowly coming forward, but we are not concerned. God will provide,” office manager Cynthia Goetz said. "Another challenge for us, particularly in the Downtown area, is that a lot of businesses have not returned to a full 9-to-5 Monday through Friday work schedule.” In the past, she said, those area businesses accounted for more than 60% of orders. Diners can eat inside the church hall at 164 Washington Place or get takeout. "The Rev. Chris Donley wants to promote fellowship and community by offering people to sit and enjoy their fish sandwiches in the church hall while enjoying coffee and cookies by Brother Andre’s Café,” Goetz said. "However, takeout is always an option. " Hours of the fish fry are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For details, visit divinemercypgh.org.