Pantry Winter Storm Policy

During this snowy wintry season, we have had to cancel the food pantry on a couple of occasions because of the parking ban as well as the danger to volunteers and those seeking food of getting to the food pantry despite the ice and snow. Rather than having people wonder about whether the food pantry is open (for those who don’t listen to the radio, call the rectory or visit the web site), we’ve decided upon the policy that when school is canceled in New Bedford, the food pantry will be closed.

Hopefully the worst of the winter storms are done for this season and the pantry will be open each Thursday.

Snow! Pantry Closed this Week

Food distribution scheduled for Thursday January 13 has been canceled due to snow conditions in New Bedford. We will be open next week for food distribution.

The food delivery originally scheduled for Wednesday January 12 at 1:15 has been rescheduled to Thursday January 13 at 1:15.

Upcoming St. Lukes Mobile Health Van Visit

On May 20, 2010 the St. Luke's Mobile Health Van will be here at the pantry. Nurses will be available to check blood pressures, do cholesterol screenings, and take blood sugar readings.

A Thank You for 'Genuine Care and Consideration'

Each week many of the people who visit the pantry here at Saint Anthony's take time to personally thank one or more of our volunteers for the services that the pantry provides. We value this face to face feedback … hearing a heartfelt 'thank you' while helping in the pantry is very meaningful for our hard working volunteers. And every once in awhile we also get a letter thanking us for what we do … one such letter we recently received is provided below:

St. Anthony's is a vital part of our community. Every week they provide food, clothes, meals to hundreds of people. Many of these people are families. They have helped us personally in a tremendous way. Their selfless genuine care and consideration for the needs of the people are truly wondrous and indispensable. I am grateful for them. We don't have a lot of money and my husband and I have disabilities. I can't say how many times we needed food and they were there. 90% of our food often comes from pantries. They are like family and I don't even want to contemplate how difficult it would be for us if they weren't there for us and so many others. I thank God for them.

It is wonderful to get a letter like this … we are happy to have been helpful to this family and hope to be as helpful for many others.

Overview

St. Anthony of Padua during his lifetime had a great love for the poor and served them as if he were serving Christ. He has been invoked for centuries as a special patron of feeding the poor and needy. In many cities, there sprung up the tradition of “St. Anthony’s bread,” giving bread to those who are hungry.

Here, each Thursday, from noon to 1:30 in the afternoon, our parish food pantry continues that tradition in the St. Anthony parish hall. While we are open every Thursday, our clients come on an every other week basis based on the first letter of their last name. A-L, then M-Z the following week.

Over the past years, our food pantry has continued to grow. Without the support and donations of so many caring people and companies, along with the dedication of our volunteer team, this growth in providing to those in need would not be possible.

In addition to providing those who participate a bag full of hearty staples and more to take home with them, we provides a warm meal of soup, sandwiches, pastries and drinks.

St. Anthony Food Pantry also hosts other special services for our clients.

Routinely, the Southcoast Mobile Van offers free blood pressure, cholesterol evaluations, as well as blood sugar readings to our participants within the Parish Hall.

Religious classes are offered every Thursday from 11:30 A.M.-12 P.M. The classes are offered in both English and Spanish.

A religious table is available offering our clients rosary beads, prayer booklets, and other religious items and religious material.

We also host The Baby Project. This independently run Project, requires that those who participate first register as a food pantry participant.