On Easter Sunday, April 17, Parthenon Diner of Branford will have free, delicious take-out Easter dinners ready for pick-up by any Branford military veterans, elderly residents or in-need community members who've called the diner to register for a free holiday meal by Friday, April 15.

The program, offered for the second year in a row, has once again been organized by East Haven attorney Andrew Amendola with sponsorship help from Parthenon owner John Sousoulas and other community sponsors. The program will also deliver over 100 Easter baskets to Branford kids in need, to be distributed through organizations including Branford Counseling & Community Center, Branford Early Learning Center, Feed Branford Kids and St. Mary's Church.

In all, Amendola raised $4,000 in funding for this year's Easter effort. 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 holiday times of 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 citizens in need, working with the owner of Twin Pines Diner in East Haven, Jim Triantis.

Amendola said he organizes the free holiday meal programs "...because there's a need, and because I can...'to whom much is given, much is expected;'" adding that, at Easter time, no child should be without an Easter basket.

To help Parthenon staff prepare hundreds of free Easter meals to take out, Branford military veterans, senior citizens and residents in need are asked to call beginning Tuesday, April 5, and no later than Friday, April 15, to register in advance. Call (203) 481-0333, ask for the manager or owner, and provide your name, address and telephone number for verification. The diner will be offering recipients their choice of Easter dinner with baked ham or roasted turkey and sides of salad, potato, vegetable and a slice of pie. Staff will provide callers with a pick-up time of between 10 a.m. - noon, so that fast service can be provided on Easter Sunday. Branford's Parthenon Diner is located at 374 East Main St.

The Parthenon has always been "community-oriented" and grateful for opportunities to give back, Sousoulas said. He said the business also thanks its many loyal customers through the decades who have helped make the diner part of the "...fabric of this community."

"The community here has supported us for 36 years now," said Sousoulas. "When people talk about 'Let's go to the diner,' they know exactly where they're going. They don't have to mention a name."

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

"We like helping because it makes us feel good; and there are many people in need, especially after what we've all gone through through in the past couple of years," said Sousoulas. "It's good to know that we're doing our part in helping to give back to people in the community."