By Craig Anderson

LEWES — The “grab-and-go” approach has been a rousing success in filling the void of the traditional Lenten fish fry in the age of COVID-19.

Pivoting to soup, organizers at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Lewes sold out of 100 quarts of Italian wedding in its first foray Feb. 19, then upped production to 140 quarts of chicken noodle Feb. 26 and 150 quarts of beef vegetable Friday.

Chuck Augustine, Grand Knight for the Lewes Knights of Columbus chapter, which makes and distributes the soup, said there’s a social value to the takeout method, as well. The KOC hasn’t had a fundraiser for the past eight months and is finally back in touch with the church community, he said.

“Parishioners are glad to have us do something,” he said. “This is something that allows us to stay in touch. If somebody stops by that we don’t recognize, too, we give them an application, so they can consider joining us.”

Gatherings for fish fries just weren’t feasible this year due to health and safety issues, Mr. Augustine said. The KOC considered making Italian dinners but were concerned about their popularity. So they settled on soup instead.

Vegetable soup is available at St. Jude every weekend during Lent, along with a “soup of the week.” Upcoming specialties will include pasta fagioli this week, ham and bean March 19 and a chef’s special March 26.

Soup is sold after Stations of the Cross services each Friday (except Good Friday), as well as after 4 p.m. Mass each Saturday and after 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses. The cost is $6 for a quart container or two for $10.

For more information, call the church at 644-7300.

With just six to eight people needed to make and distribute the soup, “so far, it’s working out pretty well,” Mr. Augustine said. “We’ve been able to do a lot with a limited number of people.”

After making the soup on Thursdays, there’s just enough room in the KOC’s refrigerator to store 150 quarts, he added. Any leftover soup is donated to Catholic Charities’ Casa San Francisco program in Milton or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s food bank.

While the KOC chapter at Church of the Holy Cross in Dover has continued to offer seafood meals on Lenten Fridays, takeout meals are distributed at the Columbian Home at 219 Vepco Blvd. in Camden.

The reality of COVID-19 dictates that only takeout is a must, but Holy Cross KOC Grand Knight Jim Rose said, “It takes away the camaraderie, and there’s a sense of loss for the customer.

“It takes away from the experience because a lot of people would like to come, sit and eat, socialize and have a good time, especially the older parishioners.”

Mr. Rose said this year’s first fish fry was slowed by a winter storm, but the following two sessions — on Feb. 26 (60 meals) and on Friday (72 meals) — sold out. Another 60 meals are planned for this Friday.

The upcoming menu (subject to change) includes:

• Friday — Shrimp salad sub, tater tots and coleslaw.
• March 19 — Two crab cakes on a bun, macaroni and cheese and coleslaw.
• March 26 — Shrimp or cod, macaroni and cheese or tater tots and coleslaw.

Each meal is $10.

For more information, call the church at 674-5787.