A Note from Deacon Mark:
With so much change happening in our neighborhoods, it is important for social services that support the poor to change as well. We’ve recently seen that happen in the Uptown neighborhood as a couple of our partner parishes, Saint Mary of the Lake and Saint Thomas of Canterbury, have combined their efforts to feed the hungry.
According to Deacon Paul Spalla, who has worked with the St. Mary food pantry for more than 30 years, the greatest need to serve the poor has moved a little north in Uptown, closer to St. Thomas, and in the area around St. Mary there is a greater need to serve the elderly. Although the demographics have changed, the magnitude of the need hasn’t, and so the parishes more effectively serve the need by combining their efforts.
As part of our Mercy for All collection this Lent, we’re supporting these combined food pantries. They feed an estimated 100 people a week, including children, as well as helping to pay rent, utilities, and medical bills.
One popular program is the Easter Box Dinner. In the box there is a full ham, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, bread, and everything else needed to prepare an Easter dinner. They cost about $50 to put together and are given to the poor in Uptown. Your donation to the Mercy for All collection supports programs like this one to help feed our hungry neighbors.
– Deacon Mark
Local Programs
Saint Vincent de Paul Society: The Society volunteers at the food pantry, soup kitchen, and clothing room and provides monetary support for the poor in Uptown. More than $100,000/year is provided to offset rent, medical bills, utility bills, grammar school tuition, baby supplies, and senior supplies.
Soup Kitchen: The soup itchen is open every Tuesday and Friday throughout the year. Currently, the soup kitchen serves 90 to 150 guests each evening between the hours of 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Volunteer activities include the preparation of meals, setting the tables, serving the meals to our seated guests and, of course, cleaning up!
Food Pantry: The food pantry is open each Tuesday from 9:30 AM until 12 noon and two Fridays each month. Households within our service area (Wilson to Bryn Mawr, Clark Street to Lake Michigan) are eligible to receive food once every 30 days. Food is donated, purchased through the Greater Chicago Food Depository, or purchased from a local store. The pantry also does home delivery to area seniors.
Volunteer activities include stocking shelves and distributing food.
Clothing Room: The clothing room is open most Thursdays from 9:30 AM until 12 noon. The clothing room offers donated, clean clothing for men, women, and children in a variety of sizes. Donations of clean, gently-used clothing and household items are welcome. Drop-off donations are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Saint Thomas of Canterbury rectory. Please call ahead to arrange a larger delivery.
Did You Know?
One in three low-income American families struggles to afford basic non-food household goods—including products related to personal care, household care, and baby care—and, as a result, make trade-offs with other living expenses and employ coping strategies to secure essential household goods.
Saint Andrew parishioners support our local food pantries with programs like the Christmas Food Collection, the SOUPer Bowl Collection, and the Fresh Corn Drive.
