Melva Mota, Teresa Gonzalez and Maria Sanchez serve the dine-in guests. 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – On Saturday, March 15, about 200 community members of all ages gathered at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Parish Hall for the annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner.

Plenty of corned beef, cabbage, carrots, red potatoes, salad, rolls and cookies were available for dining-in or the drive thru. Green drinks were available for purchase and the hall was festooned with green decorations. 

Jack and Cathy Slota, along with Yolanda Leanos, enjoy their dinner. 

The event was organized by the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Council 12527, a fraternal service organization within the Catholic Church. Founded in 1882 in Connecticut, the organization has a mission of charity.

The Grand Knight in charge, Jose Gonzalez, told the Gridley Herald that the funds raised from the dinner would benefit the church, service to the community and scholarships for high school seniors from Gridley, Biggs and Live Oak. 

 Jose Gonzalez, Sixto Mota, James Valenzuela and Raul Leanos prepare take-out dinners for guests.

“We (Knights of Columbus) donate a lot of money to St. Vincent de Paul. We do quite a bit for the community. We work with the Lions and all the other organizations,” Gonzalez said. “Red Suspenders, we help with the pancake breakfast and also the dinner at the end. We cook the food.”

No complaints were heard from the guests. There were cookies for dessert and extras to take some home for those family members unable to attend.