A big fundraiser with big flavor is back in Vandergrift.
The monthly spaghetti dinner, long held in person at St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church in Vandergrift, has returned.
“I’m glad it’s back,” the Rev. James Loew said. “It’s a fundraiser, but it’s an event that brings the parish and the community together. Just listen around: You have folks talking, relaxing, enjoying life and being together.”
“We’re trying to get back to some form of normalcy. It’s one night I don’t have to cook,” Karen Ferrero said. “Listen to all the people socializing. I feel like it’s a big reunion.”
The year-‘round dinners started about 15 years ago, and volunteer Michael Mendicino of Vandergrift has been helping just as long.
“I like to work the crowd and talk to people I know,” Mendicino said. “I like to bring in bottles of my homemade red wine.”
The event is BYOB.
The smell of garlic hits your nose before you enter the parish basement social hall.
“I’m glad it’s back. I missed it,” said Tom Johnson of North Apollo.
About 25 volunteers begin cooking at 7 a.m., preparing about 110 pounds of dry pasta, more than 40 gallons of tomato sauce and 720 meatballs to feed more than 300 folks.
Members of the Kiski Area High School Key Club volunteer as servers and help with kitchen duties.
“It’s great to be back,” shouted a diner amid the hum of laughter, hugs, conversation and fellowship.
More than 300 donated desserts flew off the large sweets table. Volunteer Debbie Intrieri said the most popular treats were cookies and brownies.
“People are happy to just be out and together here again, and it’s like a family — a community,” Intrieri said.
St. Gertrude is at 303 Franklin Ave.
