Our Lady of Grace ‘grateful’ for another successful Ham and Bean Supper

This year’s Our Lady of Grace Ham and Bean Supper was bigger and better than ever.

For starters, the night featured 25 high-quality raffle prizes that were donated especially for Saturday’s supper, ranging from crock pots and an electric wok to gift certificates and classic dishware sets.

“There’s nothing quite like an old-fashioned ham and bean supper,” Joe Grasso said Saturday night as he sat with friends at an 8-foot banquet table inside Our Lady of Grace Church’s Fioretti Hall. “I remember back when these dinners were held on a regular basis.”

Head chef Joe Quartino’s tireless kitchen crew prepared all the food. There was specially cooked and carved ham, baked beans, baked macaroni and cheese, cornbread casserole and cole slaw that Quartino, Mike and Mary Mancini, Al and Connie Colannino, Laura Colannino, John Raposa and Charlie Bagasan all had a hand in preparing and serving.

Then there was the dessert – the church’s famous apple crisp, complete with whipped cream and ice cream – that dozens of people raved about.

Perhaps the Rev. Peter J. Gower, the church’s pastor who takes pride in presenting social events that bring parishioners together, best described Saturday night’s supper.

“This was a very special night,” he said. “This night was designed to raise money to help the needs of the poor and community. We respond to many, many households that are in need of food to make Thanksgiving special for their families because for one reason or another they are unable to make ends meet.”

Once Joe Andreozzi had finished calling the winning ticket numbers for prizes, Quartino took the microphone and said: “Our committee wants to thank each and every one of you for coming. Within a few weeks we’ll purchase $1,000-plus of gift cards that will go a long, long way to help families in need at Thanksgiving.”

Gower then added: “I’m personally grateful to all the people who came here tonight and supported our efforts that will bring happiness and joy, as well as food baskets, into the homes of people who otherwise might not have a Thanksgiving at all.”