6,000 meatballs down, 200 gallons of sauce to go
Some of the 6,000 meatballs being made for Our Lady of Pompei's election day spaghetti supper.
 / Photojournalist Bill Ali
Politicians count down to election day by campaigning. On Syracuse's North Side, members of Our Lady of Pompei Church count the meatballs.
On Saturday morning, the first shifts arrived to start rolling meatballs in the school cafeteria, with more volunteers baking them in the kitchen. They won't be done until they finish up the 6,000 meatballs. On Sunday, volunteers will start cooking 200 gallons of sauce, before freezing and storing for the Cathedral Academy at Pompei School spaghetti supper, an Election Day tradition going into its 63rd year.
The spaghetti supper, actually lunch and dinner, is a must-stop and be seen place for politicians, whether or not they're running this year. Father Daniel Caruso says having thousands of guests is important to the school, and not just financially. Cathedral Academy at Pompei serves many of Syracuse's newest immigrants, and this is a chance for more than the neighborhood to see what happens here.
With interest high in this year's elections, they expect to sell out, but if not, the leftovers will feed Pompei school children and area soup kitchens.
The 63rd Annual Election Day Spaghetti Supper runs 11:30am to 6:30pm Tuesday, November 6, in the Pompei School cafeteria (922 North McBride Street). Takeouts are also available--call ahead on Monday 5-10pm at 422-8548.