Cars line the streets for blocks for one of the most popular fish dinners in the area.

This year, the St. Anthony of Padua Church hall was closed to the public and confirmation students instead worked a drive-thru.

Father Ken Kirkman greets the happy customers for one of the busiest Lenten Fridays in recent memory.

“This looks like the best we’ve had this year. There’ve been cars going around Odell for hours now. It’s great,” said Kirkman.

In the kitchen, a group of dedicated volunteers work around the clock to prepare each meal. And every piece of fish is cooked to perfection.

“The oil is usually at 375. It cooks kind of fast and when they float, a nice brown covering, we’re ready to go,” said Bernie Sabol, a St. Anthony of Padua volunteer.

Just like that, the fish is ready to be packed and served. Each volunteer has their own job in getting the meals ready, and for most, they’ve been doing that same job for years.

“The people are so good and so willing to help. It just gives you an uplift, because you’re working for your church, and yet it’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun,” said volunteer Anita Ciacelli.

Ciacelli has been in charge of the church’s fish dinners for over 20 years now. In over two decades, this year is perhaps her most difficult. Finding volunteers is always a challenge, but in a pandemic, that becomes even harder. But despite a tough year, last week, the church sold over 750 dinners in just three hours. Parishioners said that’s all thanks to those wanted to give back.

“Without volunteers, this wouldn’t happen. These people are the heart and breath of St. Anthony’s and volunteers are everything that goes on in this church starts with a volunteer,” said church volunteer Nick Diles.

The church can only hope that volunteer base continues to grow so traditions like this will last well into the future.

Dinners are served every Friday in March through the 26, starting at 3 p.m. and running until 6:30 p.m. Meals are $12 and include baked or fried fish, green beans, cheesy mashed potatoes, coleslaw, a role, and a homemade dessert.