Feinstein Million Dollar Challenge

The Feinstein One Million Dollar Challenge is underway again for 2011. All donations, either food or money, received by the food pantry between March 1 and April 30 are counted towards giving us a proportionate share in the Challenge money. And of course all donations in and of themselves are vitally important to stocking the pantry and providing food for the pantry patrons. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.

Prince Henry Society Brotherhood Award

Last week the Prince Henry Society of New Bedford awarded Paula and Arnie Briden their Brotherhood Award in recognition of the great work our parish food pantry has done.

Upon receiving the award both Paula and Arnie graciously acknowledged that what is being accomplished at the pantry is only possible because of the hard work of all of the volunteers and they accepted the award on behalf of everyone who helps. Father Landry reiterated this in stating that the award was "Not only a tribute to the commitment of Paula and Arnie, but to all those who collaborate with them to make our food pantry do so much good. Congratulations to Arnie and Paula and to all the volunteers at our parish food pantry."

Father Landry also expressed gratitude to the Prince Henry Society "for bringing the hard work of our food pantry to the attention of all its members in this way".

March Food Deliveries

Upcoming food delivery dates and times for this month are Tuesday March 8 at 12:15, Wednesday March 9 at 1:15, Wednesday March 16 at 1:15, and Wednesday March 23 at 3:15.

Unloading and storing the cases of food and produce received in these deliveries is vital to the operation of the Saint Anthony Food Pantry. We can always use extra help with these tasks. If you are available at any of the delivery times for the month of March, or at the food distribution times on Thursdays, let us know by calling Paula, the Food Pantry Coordinator, at 508-993-1691.

Please note that you can check for upcoming deliveries and other pantry activity by looking at our calendar here or using the link under "Basic Pantry Information" in the menu on the right.

CCD Volunteers at Pantry to Help

CCD students from St Anthony's as well as other student volunteers were on hand this Thursday to help with food preparation and food distribution for the many people who visited the pantry. The efforts of those who chose to use some of their vacation time to work at the pantry is a strong testimony to the caring character of these young people. Wherever you might have looked Thursday the students could be seen - eagerly gathered to speak with Father Landry; rapidly wheeling dollies and handtrucks loaded with potatoes, carrots, onions, yogurt, eggs, milk, cereal, tofu, lettuce; carefully bagging produce; happily making and serving lunches; and, of course, tirelessly distributing food.







With the many students on hand to help, several of our regular volunteers even had a few minutes just before the pantry opened to share some laughter and pose for a group photo.


The student volunteers that come to the pantry are a great help and are greatly appreciated when they are available but we do very much depend on the hard work done by our regular volunteers to keep the pantry going each and every week. Thank you all.

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.

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.

February Food Deliveries

Upcoming food delivery dates and times for this month are Tuesday February 8 at 12:15, Wednesday February 9 at 1:15, Wednesday February 16 at 1:15, and Wednesday February 23 at 3:15.

Unloading and storing the cases of food and produce received in these deliveries is vital to the operation of the Saint Anthony Food Pantry. We can always use extra help with these tasks. If you are available at any of the delivery times for the month of February, or at the food distribution times on Thursdays, let us know by calling Paula, the Food Pantry Coordinator, at 508-993-1691.

Please note that you can check for upcoming deliveries and other pantry activity by looking at our calendar here or using the link under "Basic Pantry Information" in the menu on the right.