Area churches bring community together through Lenten fish fries

Food, community, and faith are key ingredients of northwest Ohio fish fry dinners during the Lenten season.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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As the 40-day Lenten season continues, several area churches in northwest Ohio are hosting dine-in and takeout fish fry dinners, bringing the community together through food, fellowship, and faith. The fish fries feature homemade dishes, salad bars, and volunteer efforts, with the goal of providing an affordable meal option and welcoming the wider community.

Why it matters

The Lenten fish fries at local churches serve as a community gathering tradition, fostering connections and a sense of shared faith during the religious season. The events also provide an affordable meal option for families and help raise funds for the churches and their outreach programs.

The details

The fish fry dinners typically include options like fried perch, shrimp, baked potatoes or fries, salad bars, and homemade desserts. Volunteers from the congregations and the wider community help prepare the food, serve meals, and manage the events. The fish fries aim to be inclusive, welcoming both church members and the general public.

  • The Lenten season started on February 18 and continues through Easter Sunday.
  • The fish fry dinners are typically held on Fridays throughout the Lenten season, with the final dinners taking place on March 20.

The players

Jan Poulson

The chairman of St. Jerome Catholic Church's fish fry in Walbridge, Ohio, who has been organizing the event for 15 years.

Seidona Avery-Lather

The fish fry coordinator at Providence Lutheran Church near Holland, Ohio, who has been planning the fish fry season since the beginning of the year.

Mike Ginnetti

The pastoral associate for evangelization at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Bowling Green, Ohio, who helps organize the church's biweekly fish fry dinners during Lent.

Bowling Green Knights of Columbus Council

A Catholic men's fraternity that puts on the fish fries at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Bowling Green Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1148

An organization that puts on fish fries on the Fridays when St. Aloysius Catholic Church does not host its own fish fry, to avoid competition.

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What they’re saying

“I've been pretty much preparing since January.”

— Jan Poulson, Chairman of St. Jerome Catholic Church's fish fry (Toledo Blade)

“Preparation-wise, we definitely start to secure our volunteers and equipment at least six weeks ahead of time.”

— Seidona Avery-Lather, Fish fry coordinator at Providence Lutheran Church (Toledo Blade)

“It's just a giant party. People are having a great time. The kids are around. It's good food, and they're catching up with each other. It's also not just Catholics. We get a ton of people from Bowling Green that are just looking for a fish fry this time of year... It very much is a full community event.”

— Mike Ginnetti, Pastoral associate for evangelization at St. Aloysius Catholic Church (Toledo Blade)

What’s next

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo has published a guide with a full list of available fish fry offerings during the Lenten season, which can be found at bit.ly/4kmm7yt.

The takeaway

The Lenten fish fry dinners hosted by local churches in northwest Ohio serve as a longstanding community tradition, bringing people together through shared meals, fellowship, and faith. These events provide an affordable dining option, raise funds for the churches, and help foster a sense of community during the religious season.