Local Groups Cash In on Friday Sales in Lent

Moosic, Lackawanna County - Lent began earlier this week and that means it will be big business the next few Fridays at area pizza shops and seafood restaurants.

It isn't just well-known places that are looking to cash in.

Many smaller civic organizations and fire companies are looking to get a slice of the pie.

Just after noon-time Friday at the Moosic Youth Center, the tuna hoagies were being made fast and furious.

The first Friday in Lent means big business for the Moosic Lions Club. They use the money for a scholarship and their Christmas and Easter programs.

"It means good money. We make a very good profit," treasurer William Frederickson said.

Besides hoagies, the clam chowder has also been a popular item for the last six or seven years.

"We have very good people that come every year, every year," Barbara Lesavage said. "Everything is good!"

In a different part of Lackawanna County, firefighters with the Chinchilla Hose Company were also busy Friday afternoon.

They had just started their annual lenten pizza sale.

The money raised the next few weeks will go right back into their organization.

"For equipment for the trucks, maintain the building, just all sorts of expenses," trustee Keith Wellard said.

The lenten pizza sale has been ongoing for the last 40 years and members say it's also a good way to bring them together.

"We hit 216 (pizzas) one night last year but we generally average 160," Wellard said. "It's a lot of pizzas for a couple guys."

The lenten pizza sale at the Chinchilla Hose Company will run every Friday in Lent from 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM.

The hoagie sale with the Moosic Lions club will run every Friday from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM.