Feeding the Hungry to Feed the Hungry

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Nestled in downtown Skokie, across from the Library and City Hall, sits St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. The bell tower and beautiful windows are instantly recognizable as a part of the Niles Township landscape, as is the lawn surrounding it. On Saturday, July 15th, the members of St. Peter’s will host the 5th Brat Fry/Music Fest on that lawn, an annual fundraising event for the Niles Township Food Pantry.

Ties to Niles Township go back 150 years for St. Peter’s. The congregation was established on May 5, 1867, as St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church by German immigrant farmers. It was the first church organized in what was then called Niles Center. Ever since then, our members and clergy have had a deep connection to the heritage and community surrounding the location at the corner of Laramie and Oakton.

One way St. Peter’s has contributed to Niles Township is in supporting the Food Pantry. In addition to regular donations of food items from our Sunday School, and baby items at Christmas, an event was kicked off in the summer of 2012 that was aimed at raising money and awareness for both not-for-profit organizations.

“We were looking for a way to do something bigger, more open to the community,” says Jennifer Schneider, one of the event organizers. “I reached out to Amy Wagner at the Township office, and she was thrilled with our ideas.”

Rich and Jen Schneider are a married couple who have been members of St. Peter’s since 2001. Rich is from Wisconsin, and grew up with the spectacle of the summer “Brat Fry” fundraisers in his hometown of Sheboygan.

“Wisconsinites don’t call it ‘grilling out,’ we call it ‘frying out,’” states Rich. “We did it for Cub Scouts, Big Brother/Big Sister, church functions, you name it. There is even a ‘Bratwurst Days’ festival in August every year. We wanted to bring that kind of fun to Skokie.”

After convincing everyone that the brats weren’t fried (as in deep fried) and the Sheboygan-style hardrolls weren’t actually HARD (they are a light, flaky semolina sandwich bun), the first Fry was launched on Saturday, July 7, 2012. Music was provided by several local bands, as well as St Peter’s organist Dan Surma, who entertained on his electric piano. Many members of the community and township government offices attended, and a good time was had by all.

Since that first Brat Fry, St. Peter’s has hosted this as an annual event (except for 2016) as a joint fundraiser for both organizations, with 60% going to the Food pantry, and 40% to St. Peter’s. In four years, the Fry has raised over $6500 in total, with over $4000 going directly to the Food Pantry.

“The Brat Fry helps Niles Township collect money for our 501(c)(3) nonprofit Food Pantry. Our Food Pantry benefits the most from monetary donations because we are an agency of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, who purchases food at cost and at subsidized prices,” says Tony Araque, Food Pantry Manager. “Awareness comes second to the check we receive. The Brat Fry shines a light on the Food Pantry, and helps people understand the need in their community.”

This year’s Brat Fry is also part of St. Peter’s year-long 150th Anniversary celebration, and will feature the same great food as always, grilled to perfection. Music will be presented in an “open mic” format, with singers, guitarists, pianists, and other performers taking the mic for short sets throughout the day. An added bonus this year is Scooter, the mascot from Skokie’s Skatium, who will also be on hand from to entertain children from 1-2pm!

“The Brat Fry is a fun event that brings people from the neighborhood together in a safe space to enjoy good music, good food, and strengthen relationships,” says Rev. Richard Lanford, Pastor at St. Peter’s. “Everybody wins, and although our church is the host, it feels like a real community event. Everybody knows the Township Food Pantry does a lot of good work. People are happy to have a chance to contribute, as well as get a fun meal, eat outdoors, meet new people, listen to some local musicians, and encounter the hospitality of Saint Peter's U.C.C.!”

The Brat Fry/Music Fest will run from 12-6 pm, set in a comfortable church picnic atmosphere on St. Peter’s front lawn. It will feature bratwurst sandwiches, but will also have burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers for those who prefer them, as well as chips, ice cream, and soda. Meals are reasonably priced, with sandwiches at $3-5, and other items only $1 each. This event is open to the public. In case of inclement weather – either too hot or rain - the event will move into the gym. It will not be cancelled.

St. Peter’s welcomes the opportunity to host this event – the chance to share a meal and some music with neighbors and friends is too good to miss. Helping the Food Pantry is an added bonus!