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Local restaurants fry up fish on Fridays during Lent
NEW ORLEANS - As most New Orleanians know, Lent means Friday fish fries. While the pandemic has forced many churches across the area to alter or cancel this beloved tradition, 50+ local restaurants will keep it alive this year with Fish Fry Fridays. The Fish Fry Fridays campaign will serve as a fundraising event to benefit Hospitality Cares, a partnership between Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA). Participating restaurants will donate $1 per fish fry entrée sold each week.
“The pandemic has hit the hospitality sector the hardest,” said Michael Williamson, UWSELA President and CEO. “Our community always comes together to help those in need, and this campaign is no different. The restaurants themselves are stepping up to keep the industry alive while providing a safety net for its employees through Hospitality Cares.”
Hospitality Cares is a crisis grant program offering varying resources, including free civil legal aid, counseling and emergency financial assistance to individuals working in the hospitality industry – one of the region’s largest employment sectors. The emergency grants award up to $2,500 to eligible employees at hospitality businesses running active United Way workplace campaigns in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. The funds provide temporary assistance during times of crisis to cover basic financial needs, including housing, medical and utility bills.
The Fish Fry Fridays campaign was initially launched during Lent 2020 to help hospitality workers laid off during the pandemic. It raised over $12,000 from restaurant sales and a sponsorship from TABASCO®, who will sponsor the campaign again in 2021 and be joined by New Orleans Fish House who will offer discounts to participating restaurants for their seafood features.
“We are proud to participate in this campaign,” said Phil DeGruy, New Orleans Fish House sales manager. “It is not only bringing us closer together, but it allows us to keep traditions going and keep restaurants open.”
Participating restaurants and their Lenten specials visit: FishFryFridays.org.
Hospitality Cares program Information: UnitedWaySELA.org/HospitalityCares.
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About United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For 95 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty. For more information, please visit UnitedWaySELA.org. Find us on social: @UnitedWaySELA.