NANTICOKE, Pa. — The pinching of pink pierogi at NEPA'rogi in Nanticoke is more than just part of another day of work for these ladies.
These are pinches for a cause. One that has personally touched this pierogi shop on Market Street.
"My great-grandmother actually had breast cancer and went through the whole thing the process. So she's passed on now, and I feel like it's paying homage to her," said manager and marketing director Jasmyne Morgans.
For the second year in a row, proceeds from these pink pierogi will benefit the Cancer Wellness Center of NEPA in Forty Fort.
"I was a childhood cancer survivor, and I really liked what the Cancer Wellness Center was doing in the area," added founder and owner of NEPA'rogi Lauren Gorney. "And since we did this last year, we have two chuchis, aunts, two aunts that have been using the resources at the Cancer Wellness Center who were recently diagnosed with cancer unfortunately."
"When Jasmyne and Lauren reached out to us last year with the idea of starting a new tradition for us every October we're going to be doing this. I thought, what a great idea," said Tom Ruskey, director of the Cancer Wellness Center of NEPA. "It builds awareness of the organization, it supports breast cancer patients, and in turn, all of our clients that come to the Cancer Wellness Center."
The center offers free support and programs for cancer patients and their families.
"Treating not just the patients, but the families that are going through it. I think a lot of times, we just assume, if we could get the patient healthy, that everything's fine. But that's not always actually the case," added Gorney.
Aside from the pink dough, the process of making these pierogi does not look much different from the normal routine.
But the makers here say there are ingredients you can't see like love, and hope inside.
"We all know cancer is probably the saddest thing that everyone has to deal with in the world, honestly,"
said Morgans. "But the pink really just gives you the vibrance and life knowing that there's still life out there to be lived, even though you and your family might be going through such hard times."
The pink'rogis are $15 a dozen and can be purchased at the Cancer Wellness Center in Forty Fort or at the shop in Nanticoke.
