Fish Fry-days: For many, area fish fries are a tradition during the Lenten season and help raise funds for charity

Communities are coming together for fellowship, faith and fish fries for the Lenten season.

Beginning with Ash Wednesday -- which fell on Feb 13 this year -- Lent is the 40 day season in which participants practice self-reflection and fasting. On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and the six Fridays that fall between, fasting, for many, is practiced by abstaining from eating meat other than fish.

For the Knights of Columbus in Scott City, hosting Friday fish fries is a long-standing tradition. Brian Ziegler, the district deputy for the Knights and member of the Scott City Knights council, said the communitywide event has been going on for more than 15 years.

"It's about faith and tradition," said Ziegler. "We see a lot of repeat customers come back each year to support us."

In the first two weeks, Ziegler said their Friday fish fries have fed more than 600 people. One of these people, a loyal repeat customer, is Caleb Vetter of Benton, Mo. Vetter said he starting coming with family, but keeps coming back for the food.

"I've been to a few fish fries," said Vetter. "But this one is my favorite. The fish tastes better here."

Ziegler said these meals provide more than good food and fellowship to the community; they also raise money for a good cause.

"The money we raise here will be split up among five local churches and St. Jude's," said Ziegler.

Another Scott City group frying fish for a cause is the First Assembly of God Church. The Rev. Randy Morse said the church holds fish fries every couple of months to help individuals or groups in need.

"We held a fish fry not long ago to help a family with an 18-month-old girl diagnosed with cancer," said Morse. "And every year we have a Christmas in July fish fry to help the local fire department raise money for Christmas baskets."

Bobby Cassout, captain at the Scott City Fire Department, has participated in past Christmas in July fish fries, but says he makes a point to come to the others as well.

"It feels more like you're with family when you come here," said Cassout. "It's become a tradition for my family."

Jerome Eftink, right, and Wayne Heisserer bread fillets of catfish for the deep fryer at the Oran Jaycee Hall.

For the men's association of St. Vincent de Paul of Cape Girardeau, tradition is a key theme in its Lenten fish fries.

Mark Proffer is a fish-fry chairman and the "hushpuppy guy" of St. Vincent's.

"Food roles have been passed down from generation to generation," said Proffer. "We've created and perfected our own recipes for homemade coleslaw and hushpuppies."

Jim Riley, another food man and St. Vincent men's association member, said they have prepared 500 pounds of catfish each week since they began their Friday fish fries on Feb. 15.

"It may not be all you can eat, but we give people a good meal," said Riley. "We want people to have a good time, good dinner and raise a little money if we can."

So far, Riley and Proffer said the fish fry has averaged 700 customers a week. If that trend continues, the men said they expect to raise about $10,000 to give away to various charitable causes.

The Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent's both will hold fish fries each Friday until March 22. The Knights of Columbus will be serving food from 4 to 7 p.m. St. Vincent will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude at 7 p.m.

The First Assembly of God Church will hold fish fries at 4:30 p.m. each Friday only until March 8 because of conflicting church events.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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