An enterprising young lady, Sydney Gordan, and her family sponsored a used coat drive in

her neighborhood. They collected over 85 coats which were distributed last week.

Bishop Stang High School recently held their annual Rock A Thon. Students volunteered

to rock in rocking chairs for 45 minute intervals from Friday evening through Saturday

evening while collecting non perishable items for local food pantries. We were lucky enough

to receive 1/3 of the total donations which filled 2 truck loads. What a show of support and understanding of those in need. We are blessed to have their support.

This fall has been a very exciting time for the food pantry. We are extremely grateful for the donations we have received these past several months. In September Bishop Stang High School

had their Rock-A-Thon. Many students participated and a third of the food collected went

to our pantry. They then sent us a generous donation from funds raised by the "Cardboard Tent City" project. Over 200 students,faculty and staff braved the elements and slept outside

to gain appreciation for the suffering many individuals endure on a nightly basis.

Last week a woman walked into the food pantry and told us she had spent the past two nights sleeping outside because she couldn't find any shelter. After several phone calls we were able to

get in touch with Catholic Charities. Within an hour they were able to place her in a shelter and they were able to send a taxi to pick her up and drive her there. The woman was very grateful

to get in from the rain and to find a warm bed for the night. A young man showed up wearing

a pair of his girlfriends flip flops, he had no other shoes to put on his feet. After taking a survey

of our male volunteers we found someone with the same size feet who went home to get his extra

pair of sneakers for the young man to wear and a pair of socks. Many volunteers are also in need

of help from time to time but they never fail to help someone else.

Most amazing of all we have received a donation of a walk in refrigeration unit through the generosity of the Tremblay Bus Company. This unit will allow us to obtain and keep fresh

produce,milk,cheese,meats,eggs and other forms of protein to be distributed. The Tremblay

Bus Company has been a guardian angel to our food pantry. They have never failed to a request

for help. They have contributed to all types of fund raisers, provided extras such as plastic bags,

paper goods and toilet paper. In the past they donated a refrigerated truck that has allowed us

to pick up enough food to meet the needs of those seeking help and support. To say thanks just doesn't seem like enough for all that they have done for the poor. They have our undying gratitude and prayers.

Pictures will follow when I have figured out where the pictures that I keep downloading have gone. I guess they are out in cyber space somewhere. Anyone with computer knowledge

and willing to help out please give me a call or send an email. Paula

508-994-9907/ email: bpaula1@comcast.net

Fresh Produce from Commission on Hunger

The Commission on Hunger brought us fresh produce again this week. Robert Medeiros one of

our faithful volunteers was handing out fresh cabbages. We also received fresh beets,

romain lettuce and squash to add into bags for distribution. Over 200 families were

grateful to receive fresh items.

We have started collecting gently used winter coats to give out during the winter months.

You may drop off donations any Thursday during food pantry hours 9am-1:30pm, any Tuesday

afternoon or Sunday morning from 8am-12noon. There is a collection box near the food

pantry door at the back of the hall. We're also collecting NEW blankets to give out for Christmas. A few years ago we gave a blanket to an elderly man and the next day

when I was on my way to Church I noticed him walking down the street wrapped up in

the blanket. For the past few years we have been trying to help each family receive a blanket at Christmas time. New statistics are 1 out of every 6 people in the United States need food assistance. Twenty three percent of children in the State of Massachusetts are nutritionally

deprived. Every donation counts. Soon we'll be posting more information on the upcoming

holidays and what YOU may be able to do to help someone in need.

Even though the temperature is still warm we are looking ahead to the winter season.

We have started to collect for Thanksgiving: stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, cake mixes, Jell-O, pudding and pie mixes so if you are shopping and see any of these items on sale please think about helping a family to have a happier day.

This week we had 29 new families sign in to start coming to the pantry!!!!!!

Sunday September 18^TH we are having a Silpata Party to benefit the pantry in the Church Hall. It will be from 2PM-4PM. Please feel free to stop by and chat, browse or shop!! Lots of our volunteers will be there to meet and greet you. There will be jewelry demonstrations and some yummy goodies to munch on.

This Christmas we hope to again distribute new blankets to our families. The blanket drive will bee from Thanksgiving up until Christmas.

We are collecting winter coats to be distributed when the weather turns cold. Please only donate clean coats that are not in need of repair. There will be a drop off bin near the food pantry door inside the Church hall. Donations can be left during food pantry hours or when the Church is open for Mass or Bingo.

Finally a Huge Hug and Thank You to Eric Simmons who created this blog and maintained it for the past two years. It will be hard to fill his shoes!

BACK TO SCHOOL DONATIONS

A special thank you to St. Mary’s Church in New Bedford for donations of hand sanitizers to give to children to take to school. They were lunch box scented: peanut butter, grape jelly, cucumber to name a few. This week several employees from Southcoast Hospitals Group came along with their grandchildren to distribute school supplies to children who were at the pantry. A lot of happy kids were able to pick up some new pencils, pens, rulers, erasers and notebooks.

THE GREAT FRED

Cleaning up at the end of the day is one of the most important jobs our volunteers have.

We have a great bunch of helpers and sometimes we get to goof off!! Here is Fred

Showing off his balancing skills. Fred also picks up bread donations several times during the week, drives the truck for food pick ups, hands out groceries and does multiple serving tasks. We’re always looking for volunteers so think about stopping by one Thursday and see for yourself what we do.