Mississippi Catfish Fry returns to Sonnenberg Mennonite Church

Levi Lee gets ready to fry catfish at a previous event at Sonnenberg Mennonite Church.

PHOTO PROVIDED
Aldine Nussbaum and Sara Obri serve fish at a previous catfish fry event at Sonnenberg Mennonite Church in Kidron.

KIDRON  An important fund-raiser to support Sonnenberg Mennonite Church’s missions locally, across the United States and in other countries, is slated for this Saturday at the church. Even more catfish than usual will be ordered for the 11th annual Mississippi Catfish Fry to keep up with the demand, said Ken Neuenschwander, chairman of outreach and service ministry.

Catfish is brought up to Kidron by a family straight from Mississippi, and the meal won’t leave anyone hungry. Besides fresh catfish, the meal includes hush puppies, pickles, chips, applesauce, and cookies/bars.

The event will be drive-thru, carryout and dine-in 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the church, 14367 Hackett Road, Kidron.

Because COVID-19 is rearing its ugly head again, organizers suggest that dine-in be primarily for people from a distance and tables will be spaced accordingly. The inside serving line will have the same food as the drive-thru line, but second helpings will be available.

“We ordered more fish so hopefully we won’t run out like we did last year,” Neuenschwander said in an email.

The Lees, who are fish farmers in Mississippi, will bring fresh fish and equipment like they have the past 10 years. This year, local people will fry the food.

“They have taught us well so the fish and hush puppies will taste the same,” Neuenschwander assures catfish fry fans.

All donations directly support mission projects.