As voters went to cast their votes at precincts, the smell of butter filled the basement of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Nesquehoning Tuesday morning.

Seven parishioners fluttered around the kitchen, boiling pirohi and heating haluski as residents lined up outside the doors, waiting to get their ethnic favorites.

When the clock struck 11 a.m. and doors opened, it only took minutes to significantly deplete the numbers of frozen pirohi left to sell.

“We made 152 dozen,” said Nancy Kerestus, president of the church’s board.

By 11:10 a.m., there were 25 dozen of frozen pillowy potato pockets left to sell.

Much was the same with cooked pirohi and haluski, with people buying dozens at a time to take home to share with family or prepare for the upcoming holidays.

“People like this kind of food,” Kerestus said. “It’s good food, comfort food and people don’t make it anymore.”

She commended the people at the church who have gathered together to make the pirohi as well as who showed up to buy the food.

“They’re a dedicated group and I’m happy they’re here. I’m happy to have them as parishioners.”

When asked why they chose Election Day for the sale, Kerestus said it was something they always did, maybe not in this format, but they always provided food during the election.

Past years included Election Day dinners and pork and sauerkraut takeout meals.

“We thought we would do something a little different this year,” she said. “Mix it up a little bit.”

Kerestus thanked the Nesquehoning and surrounding communities for supporting the church for 90 years.

If you missed the sale, the church will have more available in February during its annual theme basket sale.

That event will be held Feb. 6 and 7 and will include baskets and gift card raffles, and a food takeout menu.

More information will be announced on the church’s Facebook page closer to the event.