Packed inside a converted semi-trailer, members of the God's House of Hope cooking crew ignored the sweat-inducing heat as they prepared for the fish fry held monthly in Island.
It was April 13 and they were only contending with the spring temperatures.
"When it's 85 degrees outside, it's 105 degrees in here," said Carroll Carter, president of the God's House of Hope Board as he covered the filleted catfish with a batter mix. "We go through an average of 60 pounds of fish and 32 pounds of chicken for each of these. Last month, we cooked 75 pounds."
And for the past six years, a crew of about eight volunteers have assembled on the second Friday of every month for this fish fry that raises money for God's House of Hope -- a food pantry that serves McLean County's needy.
Carter's wife, Vendi, and his sister, Debbie Carter, are also part of the cooking team -- each with their own job to ensure efficiency.
"We've turned it into a family affair, but we're all family here," Carroll Carter said.
Next door, another group of volunteers gathered as servers inside the cooler food pantry -- a converted bank building.
With the aroma of fried fish, chicken strips and pastries already filling the room, they were waiting for the 4 p.m. serving time to begin. And once the time hit, it didn't take long for a hungry crowd to start streaming in for the $10 "all-you-can" fish and chicken dinner.
Ricky Dame of Island was one of the patrons who frequents the fish fry.
Dame said he enjoys the food but he's there mainly to support the food pantry ministry.
"I think what they do here goes unnoticed," Dame said. "It's just a great cause."
Volunteers Becky Curry and Pat Martinez kept busy by serving those who were not only eating-in, but for those with to-go orders.
Curry, who is currently the board's vice president, said the building is paid off but the fish fry helps with expenses such as utilities, office supplies and replenishing the fish, chicken and other side items for the next fundraiser.
"We couldn't afford to do this if we had a mortgage," said Curry, as she sliced pies from inside the old bank vault. "... We're now in need of a new roof and we haven't figured out how we're going to pay for it."
The food pantry was established in 2000 by Debbie Mauzy, Lillian Floyd and Keith Stratton.
An during that time, the food pantry moved around to locations in McLean County, which included the former Charles Chips building outside of Calhoun, before finding its permanent home at 205 W. Main St. in Island.
The food pantry has two income-based programs -- one for those 60 and older and the other for those under 60. Those who qualify receive a 40-pound box of food and frozen meat once month.
The pantry distributes approximately 350 boxes per month.
Martinez said she volunteered first with the food pantry a year ago and then added the fish fry about six months ago.
"Since I've been here, I've seen how it helps people," she said. "There are so many elderly people who don't have enough to eat. And these boxes of food make a difference."
The food pantry is currently accepting additional donations for a new roof and considering additional fundraisers to help pay for it.
Anyone wishing to donate financially to the roof project or the food pantry can mail it to God's House of Hope, Inc., P.O. Box 23, Island, Ky.
The food pantry can be contacted at 270-486-3886.
"This has been a blessing to me," Carroll Carter said. "It's also been a blessing to the community."
The next fish fry is scheduled for May 11.
