On behalf of Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, we want to express our heartfelt thanks you to all the bakers who donated their time and baked goods, to the volunteers who prepared, cooked and served the food, and to the patrons who bought all those tasty treats. This year’s Fish Fry and Bake Sale was a huge success.
Here is the inside story …
Ash Wednesday was a great start to our Fish Fry and Bake Sale. Sales totaled $1,133.00. Sales were never that high in 2022. Once again, on Friday that week they hit $1,149.00. I’m sure the cherry and vanilla parfaits, lady locks, blueberry lemon mini breads, and peanut butter fudge cups played a role. After four sales dates, including an after 10AM Mass sale at Saint Maurice, we were into March and the total sales had reached $4,989.00.
With three Fridays of Lent plus Good Friday to go, the quiet talk began behind the sales table. Was it possible? Could it be reached? Or was it simply a dream? No bets were being taken, but, we thought, let's put the $10,000.00 mark on the radar screen! Then sales of both fish and baked goods took a hit on Friday, March 15th, St. Patrick's Day. We, of course, blame Bishop Zubik because he allowed Catholics to eat Irish stew on Friday. Despite the Guinness beer-chocolate cakes, nut rolls, banana breads, and peanut butter cups, bake sales dropped to $1,124.00. Still, the best Fridays were in front of us.
On the last Friday of Lent sales hit $1,429.00. That made up for St. Patty's Day. The table with goodies was literally empty thanks to loaded carrot cakes, various cobblers, and a delicious crème Brule. The sales total by then was $8,846.00.
We still had Good Friday to go!
We needed more pizzells, pineapple upside down cakes, nut rolls, cobblers of every flavor!
The last day finally arrived. At 5:00 PM sales were about $600.00. Suddenly there was a flurry of business between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM.
Then it happened, the goal had been reached! Sales were over $1,300,00 and eventually totaled $1,572.00 for the night, giving us a grand total of $10,417.00.
We had done it! We all pulled together and had our best Fish Fry and Bake Sale to date.
We hope to see you all again next year for another record breaking and delicious event.