Shriner’s Fish Fry tomorrow at Food Lion

ELIZABETHTOWN – If you have to do some shopping at the Food Lion tomorrow, you may want to go very early or after 6 p.m. as the annual Shriner’s Fish Fry is setting up and serving the catch ‘o the day in the parking lot at 1202 W Broad St. in Elizabethtown.

Fryers are being set up on loan from Sudan Temple and the fish will be fresh and served with hushpuppies, sweet potato fries, coleslaw and good old-fashioned southern sweet tea. All quite a deal for only $10 and your appetite.

The bonus is the funds are going to help children who are suffering and in a Shriner’s Hospital.

The setup usually begins the night before and the event kicks off at 11 a.m. and usually runs until 6 p.m. or until they run out of fish. The lines can get pretty long and backed up, but those who have had a Shriner’s fish fry, know that it is worth the wait.

According to lovetotherescue.org, “In 1922, construction began on the first Shriners Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was the perfect location; an underserved city surrounded by farming communities. To address the needs of patients during construction, the hospital’s first physician saw patients at an office in town. You might know The Shriners as simply the men in red hats, but there’s a fascinating, 150-year history behind those fancy red fezzes. The story begins in 1870, when a group of fellows created an organization to serve their communities and help build a better world. Today, Shriners Hospitals for Children has served more than 1.5 million children, regardless of the families’ ability to pay.”

It’s not just the history that is amazing, but each year a child benefits from the care and funding, the story is continuing to be written. The Shriners motto is: “The next chapter of Shriners Hospitals for Children will be written by YOU! The patients, parents, donors and friends who support our mission.”

The fish is great, but the cause is sensational.

Mark DeLap is a journalist, photographer and the editor and general manager of the Bladen Journal. To email him, send a message to: mdelap@bladenjournal.com