The initial response to our Lenten Almsgiving efforts has been positive. Well over 500 shopping list handouts have been taken, and several food distributions have already been dropped off. Our goal is to provide 250 food distributions at the Newman Foodshare event on April 29th. This is a oneday event where clients and volunteers will come together for a festive community gathering. The food items collected over the Lenten season will be distributed, hot dogs will be served by Newman’s Knights of Columbus council, local social service agencies will be invited to share information with the clients. Mark your calendars so you can be a part of this event! Given the generous spirit of our parish, we anticipate receiving items beyond our goal. These items will be shared with La Bodega and the Aggie Cupboard. Both of these food pantries provide emergency food assistance to our community.
La Bodega is our parish food pantry. Several volunteers serve yearround in this ministry, responding to Jesus’ words to reach out to those in need, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” La Bodega distributes food on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month to about 90 families per month, or about 1,080 distributions a year! Families are able to receive a food emergency distribution (about 25 items) once a month. La Bodega is staffed and supported year round by Newman parishioners.
If you bring in your items for the Foodshare event during the weekend Masses, place them near the Almsgiving display wall, donations for La Bodega are to be placed on the rolling cart near the Lunch Bunch counter. If you have some spare time to offer, we can use some help after all the weekend Masses to carry the food items from the church over to Casa A for storage. We will also sort through donations on Tuesdays from 3 to 4pm. If you are able to help, contact me via email at [email protected].
Thanks!
Sal