An Update on Recent and Upcoming Events

Thanks to everyone who contributed to make the Spaghetti Supper/Sock Hop put on by the Food Pantry and the Youth Group a great success. It made for a fantastic evening of good food and great company.

This was a wonderful year for donations to the food pantry during the Feinstein Challenge. Each dollar donated and each item received during the challenge counts as a "dollar" towards a share in the Million Dollars distributed by the the Feinstein Foundation and this year we collected 33,757 in "dollars" during the months of March and April. We have been participating since 2006 when we collected 4,085 "dollars" and each year we have surpassed the previous year thanks to your generosity.

May 21 is Aviation Day at New Bedford Airport and we will be setting up a display table with information so that Aviation Day visitors can learn more about our food pantry. We will be selling candy bars and also have a jar available for donations. Last year 7,000 people attended this event and we are lucky to have been invited. Please stop by to visit us if you are there on that fun filled day!

Please remember that we are no longer accepting any used items. Please bring your used clothing and household donations directly to Planet Earth, Savers or Gifts for Giving.

Empty egg cartons and used plastic bags are always needed and of course any non perishable items you may have to spare are always appreciated. Toilet paper as always is one of the most requested items. Every roll donated is appreciated. Thanks again for all you do to help those less fortunate. Your donations mean a lot.

For further information on participating in the pantry or on donating to the pantry please contact Paula, the Food Pantry Coordinator at 508-993-1691.

2nd Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Sock Hop

Saturday April 30th is our parish’s second annual Spaghetti Supper/Sock Hop to be sponsored by the food pantry and youth group. Doors will open at 5:30. Dinner will be served beginning at 6:00 and will be followed by dancing to music from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Costumes are encouraged. There will be a hula hoop competition and bubble blowing contest. Artwork and more has been donated for an auction. Tickets are $8.00 for adults, $4.00 for children (12 and under) and $25 for a family of four or more. Tickets will be available from all youth group members and food pantry volunteers. So get your poodle skirts and saddle shoes back out and come on to the hop!

Upcoming Events

There are many upcoming events for the pantry in the next several weeks that we would like you to know about.

On February 17, we will have St. Luke's nurses present for blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening and cholesterol checks during regular pantry hours 12-1:30pm. All are welcome.

From March 1-April 30, we will participate in the Feinstein One Million Dollar Challenge. All donations received during that time period are counted to give us a proportionate share in the money. Last year we were very successful with our participation and hope to be even more successful this year. You can help.

On Saturday, April 30, we will cosponsor a Spaghetti supper/dance with the youth group. Last year's event was great fun. This year's will be too. Hope to see you there.

And please continue your donations of used plastic bags and any non-perishable food items that you can spare. Your donations mean a lot.

Merry Christmas ...

We had almost 350 families, which included 281 children, come through the pantry on Thursday ... and there were 50 volunteers helping with the distribution of food, blankets and gifts; helping with the preparation of lunch; helping with registration; and helping with the many other tasks that needed to be done. Everything went smoothly and we were cleaning up the hall by 2:15.

Once again we are deeply grateful for the generosity of those who contributed food, blankets, gifts and more. Thank you and God bless you.

Ongoing and Upcoming

We've had a busy Summer at the pantry and as Fall approaches we expect to be just as busy. Even if you are unable to volunteer at the pantry on Thursdays you can still help with an ongoing drive and with some upcoming efforts that are planned.

Believe it or not the most asked for item other than food at the pantry is for toilet paper! We are having a toilet paper drive right now during September and on into October. If you could bring in one roll every time you come to Mass at Saint Anthony's during those months it would be awesome.

During November and December we will be having another blanket drive. Last year's drive was very successful and we would like this year's to be just as helpful. The goal is to collect 350 new blankets to give out the week before Christmas — one to each of the families we regularly serve. This is a lot of blankets but together we can make it happen. Thank you for your generosity.

Next year, during March and April, we will once more be participating in the Feinstein Challenge.

And on April 30, 2011 we have a dinner/dance planned. We'd like to see you there.

For further information on participating in the pantry or in these efforts please contact Paula, the Food Pantry Coordinator at 508-993-1691.

Good Times at Spaghetti Supper/Sock Hop

A good time was enjoyed by all who came to the Spaghetti Supper / Sock Hop. Thanks to the food pantry volunteers who cooked a delicious meal and the youth group who are excellent wait staff. The hall was full of excitement. We had some great competitors in the hoola hoop contest and bubble gum blowing contest. Ages varied from 4-64! The Red Sox tickets were won by Peter Phillip from our parish! By the end of the evening we had offers of donations for our next event. Suggestions were made for 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's music next time.

Spaghetti Dinner and Sock Hop

Saturday April 10th is our parish’s first annual Spaghetti Supper/Sock Hop to be sponsored by the food pantry and youth group. There will be a wonderful dinner followed by dancing to music from the 50s and 60s. There will be prizes given for the best male and female 50's costume. There will also be a hool-a-hoop competition and bubble blowing contest. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children (12 and under) and $25 for a family of four or more. They will be available from all youth group members and food pantry volunteers. So get out your poodle skirts and saddle shoes!

Spaghetti Supper / Sock Hop

Saturday April 10th is our first annual Spaghetti Supper/Sock Hop to be sponsored by the food pantry and youth group. A wonderful dinner followed by dancing to music from the 50s and 60s. There will be prizes given for the best male and female 50s costume. There will also be a hool-a-hoop competition and bubble blowing contest. . Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children (12 and under). They will be available from all youth group members and food pantry volunteers. So get out your poodle skirts and saddle shoes!