The Church of St. Clare of Assisi-St. Francis Xavier Parish Holy Name Society and Big Deal Supermarket announced that they are once again sponsor the annual Lenten Fundraiser, Big Deal owner Miguel Garcia said in a statement.
The annual drive raises vital funds for the two parishes in the Morris Park section of the Bronx. Between now and Easter Sunday, March 31, parishioners who shop at Big Deal Supermarket, located at 1018 Morris Park Avenue,can contribute to the fundraiser by dropping their sales receipts into the big wooden box located in the front of the store, after they have checked out. A percentage of all the sales during Lent will be donated to these churches.
Father Salvatore DeStefano, the Pastor of the Church of St. Clare of Assisi-St. Francis Xavier Parish and the Holy Name Society's spiritual director stated that the Lenten fundraiser has become an annual tradition in the neighborhood and raises funds for church repairs, programs, and other important projects. He was happy to add that the fundraiser enables him not to have to ask parishioners for money and that the fundraiser brings the community together during Lent.
Shoppers can enjoy the Big Deal fish market for Lenten Friday meals. $7,169 was raised in 2023 and nearly $90,000 has been raised since the fundraiser began in 2010. SFX Holy Name Society Vice President Martin Dolgow and Holy Name Society Secretary Peter Ulrich are coordinating the event. Tom Tronconi serves as HNS president and James J. Curran III as president emeritus.