Pork and sauerkraut is thought to bring good luck when eaten on New Year’s Day. But it might also bring good luck to one’s chosen candidate in an election.

The meal is a tradition on Election Day in Pennsylvania Dutch and Anthracite regions of the state. Though it was not spared from the effect of COVID-19 restrictions, that tradition went ahead again on Election Day 2020.

Across Carbon and Schuylkill County, members of churches and social clubs woke up early Tuesday to prepare the traditional potatoes, meat and cabbage. Some started days in advance.

The meal is a good fundraiser for local organizations. It also is just something that people have come to expect on Election Day.

“It’s to help the start of the harvest, prepare for the long winter. To celebrate the success of a good season,” said Joyce Schwartz, a volunteer at Trinity United Church of Christ in Tamaqua.

On New Year’s, pork and sauerkraut brings good luck. It’s possible that on Election Day some of that luck rubs off on a preferred candidate.

At Trinity UCC, the preparation for the 3 p.m. meal begins at 6 a.m. Bill Fritzinger and his volunteers prepare enough pork and sauerkraut for 100 people.

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Nesquehoning started their pork and sauerkraut meal about 20 years ago. A dedicated group of volunteers have kept it going ever since.

Because the meal is served at lunch, they get started a day early. They started on Saturday roasting pork, and on Monday cut up potatoes.

This year, so many church meals have been forced to become takeout only due to restrictions on gatherings due to coronavirus.

Despite fears that sales would be down, St. John’s exceeded expectations.

“We didn’t think we were going to have such a good day despite the virus. But the community did come out. We were very grateful for them,” said Teddy Pathroff, who volunteers to help the dinner every year.

This year the church member who founded the dinner, Margie Kokinda, passed away.

“She was a good cook and a good member of this parish,” Pathroff said.

For some organizations, the restrictions on gatherings forced a temporary break from the annual dinner. Members of Fairview Hose Co. in Jim Thorpe said they hope to return next year.

“We will try to bring back all of the Hosey traditions next year,” bar manager Jeff Delong said.

Others decided that it was a good year to start new ones. The Shrine of Saint Therese of Lisieux in Nesquehoning hosted a takeout soup and bleenie sale with soups like Italian wedding, ham and bean, and pasta fagioli. While they’ve sold other foods in the past, the new combination seemed to be a good one.

“We figure this would be a very good Election Day to do it on - it should be very busy, and we needed to make a little money for the shrine,” Felicia Pilla said.