LANCASTER, Pennsylvania – Greek Church festivals are back after two years of COVID-19 lockdowns and slowdowns and it takes a monumental effort to operate them and feed hundreds, or even thousands of people hankering for Greek food.

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania knows how to do it, featuring a recipe that has 900 pounds of butter and 1,300 pounds each of flour and sugar.

Throw in 355 pounds of walnuts, 610 pounds of pasta and 308 gallons of milk with 1,200 pounds of ground beef, 610 pounds of phyllo dough and a year’s worth of planning, said Lancaster Online of the effort.

It was featured at this year’s 64^th annual festival. “We’re giving back to the community,” said Church President Spencer Phillips, adding, “they see who we are, and we see who they are.”

One-third of all profits goes to local charities. Alexandra Schramm, who has co-chaired the bazaar since 2012, estimates that the event distributed about $60,000 last year to area organizations, such as the Lancaster County Food Hub, the site said. “People grew up as children doing this,” Schramm said. Money will also be provided for a church-sponsored grocery distribution.