By Lisa Carolin
Lenten fish fries have become seasonal destinations, and that is certainly the case for the Chelsea Knights of Columbus dinners, which begin their 33rd year on Friday, March 7.
If previous years are any indication, thousands of dinners will be sold during the six weeks of Fridays that last through April 11.
Every Friday from 5-8 p.m., visitors to St. Mary Catholic Church, located at 14200 East Old U.S. Highway 12, will have the chance to buy the all you can eat dinners. The selection includes baked and fried Atlantic cod, soup of the day, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, potatoes, milk, coffee, tea and a salad bar.
“We work hard at providing a quality all you can eat dine-in dinner for a reasonable price, and we have been able to offer the dinner without an increase in price for the last number of years by controlling costs,” said Al Letizio, who helps organize the dinners for St. Mary.
Volunteers help with the serving. There are also carryout dinners served in a separate line with reserved parking.
Dinner costs $10 for anyone 12 and older, $5 for children, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $9 for carryout dinners.
“A quality meal served at your table for a reasonable price has been the formula for success, serving an average of 550 dine-in meals along with approximately 200 takeout orders on each of six Fridays,” said Letizio.
The Knights of Columbus asks parish members to donate both homemade and purchased desserts, which are used to fund partial scholarships awarded to graduating seniors from the parish.
Volunteers are needed to work on Fridays to help prepare and serve the food as well as for clean-up duty after 8 p.m.
Anyone interested can contact Al Letizio at 734-475-6484 or [email protected].
