In time for Easter, Parthenon Diner of Branford and community sponsors will once again provide free, prepared take-out holiday dinners for pick-up on Saturday, March 30, by those Branford military veterans, elderly residents or in-need community members who've called in advance to register for the program. Call-in registration opens Monday, March 18 and ends Friday, March 29.

The free Easter dinner program is now in its fourth year. It’s organized annually by East Haven attorney Andrew Amendola, with sponsorship help from Parthenon owner John Sousoulas and other community sponsors.

Amendola said community sponsor donations will also help deliver over 100 Easter baskets to Branford kids in need. The baskets will be distributed in advance of Easter through organizations including Branford Counseling & Community Center, Branford Early Learning Center, Feed Branford Kids and St. Mary's Church.

Amendola raised $4,000 in funding for this year's Branford Easter program. In addition to the support provided by Sousoulas and Parthenon Diner, Branford Easter program sponsors are Andrew Amendola, Don and Jesse Herzog of East River Energy, Jim Civitello of Enson's Menswear, Ryan Torello of Progressive Benefits Solutions, Dr. Rajula Tandon and "...an anonymous, honorable, loyal and long-time supporter," said Amendola.

Amendola also thanks East Haven residents Cheryl Cooper Tardif and Liz Franco-Spano for their Easter basket assistance.

Since November of 2020, Amendola has worked with Sousoulas and community sponsors to offer many hundreds of free holiday meal programs to local residents in need at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Amendola has matched that generosity by gathering the same amount of funding for holiday support for East Haven vets, seniors, and other citizens in need, working with the owner of Twin Pines Diner in East Haven, Jim Triantis.

Including past Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter efforts, this year's Easter program marks Parthenon's twelfth consecutive holiday meal collaboration with Amendola.

For its continued generosity to the community including the holiday meal programs, on Feb. 22, Parthenon Diner was recognized at the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce (SCC) 2024 Annual Excellence Awards. The Branford restaurant received SCC’s 2024 Branford Community Partner/Hometown Hero Award.

The business has been a part of community for 38 years.

“We always feel that giving back is the best thing we can do for the community, after all these years that we’ve been here and have been supported,” said Sousoulas.

For each holiday program, Sousoulas said he puts on extra cooks on and buys extra food, “...so we can prepare everything and have everything be perfect.”

Parthenon Diner is offering recipients their choice of Easter dinner with baked ham or roasted turkey, together with sides of potato, vegetable and apple pie for dessert. Each free, prepared take-out dinner will be ready for pick-up on Saturday, March 30 to enjoy on Easter Sunday. Heating instructions will be provided.

To receive a meal, Branford military veterans, senior citizens and residents in need are asked to call to register in advance, beginning Monday, March 18, and no later than Friday, March 29. Call (203) 481-0333, ask for the manager or owner, and provide your name, address and telephone number for verification. Staff will then provide callers with a March 30 pick-up time of between 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., so that fast pick-up service can be provided. Branford's Parthenon Diner is located at 374 East Main Street.

Amendola said he organizes the holiday programs "...because there's a need, and because I can. ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.”