Annual Lenten Food Sale Back, Benefits St. Casimir

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It happens just before spring ever year in Canton.

Lenten foods are on the menu for many people and some of the best dinners are being served up at a school in Canton.

Ron Matz says it's a busy time for St. Casimir's coddie crew.

Codfish cakes frying and Mr. Mike is in the kitchen.

Thousands are ready to go -- it' time for the Big Lenten Food Fundraiser for St. Casimir School.

"We have about 50 to 75 volunteers coming in," said Laura Matoska, the chairperson of the sale. "We pick anywhere from 400 to 600 pounds of fresh, salted cod and crab for our product every week."

Volunteers like Bernie Fieden make it happen.

"I've been volunteering about 12 to 13 years, it's good to give back to the school and participate with all the workers here," Fieden said. "It just gives you a good feeling in your heart knowing that you're helping out."

Ten-year-old Nate Matoska is helping; he's a student at the school.

During Lent they'll sell more than 21,000 coddies here at St. Casimir.

"We have a budget and we try to keep our tuition pretty low," said principal Noreen Heffner. "So it's the biggest fundraiser we have."

A labor of love in Canton.

"We sell every Friday. The doors open at 6 a.m.," said Matoska.

They also have crabcakes, potato salad, macaroni salad and coleslaw and they also have fresh cakes for dessert.

The Lenten Food Sale continues through March 23.

For more information go to www.stcasimirschool.us.