Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

We've been very busy at the pantry the last few weeks and during that time we've certainly been blessed with a generous variety of vegetables to distribute, but, now with Thanksgiving a little over a month away we are getting focused on turkeys. We are trying again this year to make sure we can provide a turkey through the Food Pantry for families in the area who would not otherwise have one. Last year at thanksgiving we were able to provide food to over 800 people. We expect to be providing for a similar number of people this year.

We welcome your support to make this happen. On November 14th & 15th any turkeys you wish to donate can be dropped off after Mass to volunteers in the pantry truck which will be parked behind the garages on Nye Street. We are also in need of additional stuffing and cranberry sauce. Thank you for anything you can do to help.

Summer in the City Again

When the weather gets really hot in the latter weeks of summer we can always use a little extra help and the return of Sacred Hearts seminarians with that help has been a welcome blessing. This relief could actually be seen in the faces of many of our volunteers last week. And Joe certainly didn't seem to mind a little special attention from Stacie for all he has done.

Backpack Drive

We are once again conducting our annual backpack drive at St. Anthony of Padua Food Pantry.  Last year this drive raised over 100 backpacks making it possible for us to continue helping children within our community.

We are asking for donations to support this drive. Donations of backpacks, pencils, crayons, pens, paper, hand sanitizer etc., would be very useful. These items may be left in the donation areas around the church.

Financial donations are also welcome. Parishioners or church visitors who would like to make a financial donation, may mark an envelope “Backpack Drive” and put it in the collection basket. All money raised will be used to fund this VERY important program which benefits our children and our community.

Busy, Busy

A day with the temperature in the low 80s was a welcome relief from the mid-90s folks in New Bedford had been recently experiencing and a large number of persons came to the pantry this week for food and lunch. Pantry visitors were also given the opportunity to get a pneumonia shot thanks to Andrea and Hendrick from our neighborhood Rite-Aid. Additionally there were tables with infant supplies and a table with religious material.

Surprised and Grateful for Generous Gift

Stacie Hallal, pantry coordinator, tells of a recent generous gift.

“A man came in the food pantry who wants to be kept anonymous, walked around asked to talk to me, sat down with me and I explained what we all do, where we get the fresh vegetables, where I get most of the food (Greater Boston Food Bank), about how many patrons we serve and what they get and what we serve for lunch. He was very impressed and thought we did a GREAT job!! He then gave me a check for $1000.00 in memory of Beatrice and Joe Hayes!! You never know who is going to walk in.” 

Stacie and all who work at the pantry are most grateful for this person's generosity.

Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts Grant

A grant of $500 was received by the St Anthony of Padua Soup Kitchen. The grant was from the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts (CFSEMA) James Arnold Fund which was established in 1891 for the “poor and needy of New Bedford who may be deserving". More information about CFSEMA is available here.

Kennedy Donovan Center Donations

The Kennedy Donovan Center (KDC) on 376 Nash Road recently held a food drive and donated the food to the St Anthony’s Food Pantry as well as making a financial donation. Thank you to all at the Kennedy Donovan Center for helping take care of your neighbors! More information about KDC is available here.