Toolkit: Host a Fish Fry for Foster Families
Springs of Love and the Knights of Columbus invite you to support foster families! We encourage local Knights Councils to host a Fish Fry this Lent to bring awareness to the needs of foster families in their community, and the work of Springs of Love.
During Your Event:
• Coordinate with your local Springs of Love Chapter, if there is one. Chapters can build up their Family Care Alerts email list during the event using an easy sign-up sheet.
• Provide flyers and info about Springs of Love
• Identify foster families in your parish that can be served by your Council or local Springs of Love Chapter
• Consider offering complimentary meals to foster families! You can welcome these families ahead of time with customized invitations.
• Optional: Show a short Springs of Love foster care awareness video
• Proceeds benefit Springs of Love and will be used to support local Chapters and families
Awareness Video
At your event, you can share a Springs of Love video to raise awareness about foster care. You may download the video to ensure easy playback, without the need for a Wi-Fi connection. This 3-minute video shares the fostering story of Knights of Columbus council member PJ and his wife Kristina, while highlighting the urgent need for strong, faithful foster families and the communities that support them.
Sample Bulletin Announcement
Fish Fry for Foster Families
Come out for a Lenten Fish Fry this Friday, Feb. 27, from 5-7 PM in the church social hall!
Join the Knights of Columbus in supporting Springs of Love, a ministry inviting Catholics to discern how they are called to serve children in need through fostering, adoption, and parish support. Proceeds support local foster and adoptive families. Learn more at springsoflove.org.
Fish, drinks, and desserts available for just $8/person – and foster families eat free! We hope to see you there to support this amazing ministry.
Set up tips:
- Place Springs of Love flyers at each table
- Set up a welcome table near the entrance to greet families, accept payment, and answer any questions about Springs of Love. If your parish has a Springs of Love Chapter, a representative from the Chapter should be present to welcome guests, especially any foster families in attendance.
- Have a sound system available, if possible, to make announcements, bless the food, and communicate with guests.
- Optional: Set up a screen to play the Springs of Love Foster Care Awareness video.
Spread More Awareness
Consider making this a weekend-long message. In addition to the Friday night Fish Fry, host a Foster Care Awareness event after Mass on Sunday to continue shining light on foster care in your community. If you have a Springs of Love Chapter at your parish, coordinate with them to plan and host this event.
Social Media Resources
Use our social media artwork template to choose and customize a graphic to use on Instagram, Facebook, or anywhere you need to promote your event. Canva login is required to access templates.
See the “Sample Bulletin Announcement” to get ideas for your social media caption.
Promote Your Event
There are many ways to bring attention to your Fish Fry for Foster Families. We recommend:
- Advertise in your Parish Bulletin (see sample text and artwork)
- Make Pulpit Announcements
- Hang signs outside the Church, school, around town, etc.
- Email invitations to members and parishioners
- Post notices on Parish and council web sites
- Hand out flyers after Mass, hang them around the church building, or mail them to families who might be interested (see flyer template)
- Advertise on social media accounts (see sample artwork)
Sample Timeline
4-5pm: Set up space and begin preparing food.
5pm: Begin welcoming guests and serving food.
5:15pm: Invite a priest or parish leader to bless the food.
5:30pm: Play Springs of Love Foster Care Awareness video. Afterwards, invite guests to scan the QR code on the table flyers to get involved with Springs of Love, whether as a foster or adoptive family, discerning couple, or Springs of Love Chapter.
If you parish has a Springs of Love Chapter, ask a representative to say a few words about what they are doing in the parish and how to join.
5:30-6:30pm: Families continue to eat and enjoy time together!
6:30pm: Remind guest to take a flyer as they leave and scan the QR code to get involved.
7pm: Wrap up and clean up.
Springs of Love Flyer
Download and print a Springs of Love flyer to let guests know about our mission and how they can get involved. Place a flyer or two at each table and encourage guests to visit our website.
Promo Art
Choose from several templates to create promo art for your event. Promo art can be used in parish bulletins or included in email invites for your event. Canva login is required to access templates.
Sample Flyer
Choose from several templates to create a promotional flyer for your event. Flyers can be printed and displayed around your church building, handed out or mailed to parishioners, or used in your church bulletin. Canva login is required to access templates.
Invite foster families to eat for free! In order to help identify foster families in your parish, and to make them feel welcome at your event, you can hand-deliver invites to families offering them a complimentary meal at your Fish Fry. Customize our invite template with Canva or create one of your own.
