LANCASTER, Pa. — With 2024 right around the corner, thousands of families are getting ready to enjoy the traditional New Year’s Day meal of pork and sauerkraut.
On Monday, the Pequea Valley Fire Department is welcoming people to its fire hall in Paradise Township, Lancaster County for its annual New Year’s Pork and Sauerkraut dinner. The fire department has enough food and volunteers to provide 2,300 meals.
“It takes about 100 volunteers throughout the day to offer the meal," said Dwight Groff, the fundraising leader for the Pequea Valley Fire Department. "And then there’s significant prep work from the beginning or middle of October to make the sauerkraut.”
The Zion Lutheran Church in Leola, Lancaster County is also serving around 500 meals at its annual pork and sauerkraut dinner on New Year's Day. Susan Orth, who volunteers with the church, said they have no problem going through all of the food, thanks to their pork and sauerkraut drive-thru.
“They come around the corner, pick up their hot stuff, go into the multipurpose room, get the cold stuff, and are out the door," said Orth. "It’s really fast. Last year we served over 300 in an hour and a half.”
With each plate, volunteers hope to bring good fortune to thousands of people in their community.
“The pig tends to root forward when they’re foraging for food or would’ve foraged for food in the days of yore," said Groff. "That’s a good way to say we’re going to forge ahead into a new year.”
The Pequea Valley Fire Department is hosting its Pork and Sauerkraut dinner from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on New Year's Day at 3521 Lincoln Highway East in Kinzers. Dinners are $18 for adults and $9 for children, ages 4-12.
The Zion Lutheran Church is opening its Pork and Sauerkraut take-out at 11 a.m. on New Year's Day. The church is located at 18 Quarry Road, Leola, PA. Dinners are $13 per meal.
All proceeds will benefit the Pequea Valley Fire Department and Zion Lutheran Church, respectively.