More Than Just Good Food: Fish Fries Bring the St. Joseph Church Community Together

The fish fries at don’t just feed the guests who stop by—they also help feed the homeless in Cleveland.

St. Joseph Church hosts a fish fry on the first Friday of every month, as well as every Friday during Lent, except for Good Friday. During Lent, volunteers also serve up a fish fry for lunch.

“It brings the church people closer together,” said volunteer Pat Lesnick. Lesnick and her husband, Jim, have been helping to run the fish fries since they began in the early ’90s.

The proceeds from the Lenten fish fries go to the church, with a portion going to the homeless outreach program, Lesnick said. The fish fries throughout the rest of the year support the outreach program. Volunteers visit a shelter in Cleveland every Sunday morning to pass out soups, sandwiches and other food.

During Lent, lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Dinner begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. See the church’s website for a menu.