Parishes 'Feed my sheep'

By Raymond L. Delisle 

Director of Communications Ministry 

When was the last time you thought about whether you would be able to provide three square meals a day for yourself or your family? 

According to Project Bread, one out of six households in Massachusetts is wondering just that every day. That is the recent data concerning Massachusetts households facing “food insecurity,” and has been an issue here for years.  

Those three “squares,” after all, are not simply about eating just anything, but being able to provide a balanced, nutritional diet. 

Given the number of government-backed programs, many assume it’s easy for people to access quality food for their families, especially children. But as food pantries and free meal programs in our parishes are experiencing, that is just not true. This past year, and during the summers, it has been tougher for families that rely on subsidized meal programs in schools to make up the difference. 

In a recent survey of parishes in the Diocese of Worcester, to which nearly 80% responded, 67% indicated that they are offering a food pantry, a meal, or other ongoing charitable program for anyone in need. Most of the programs were in operation well before the pandemic. As Bishop McManus has often pointed out, “these acts of charity are not offered just to Catholics; we do it because we, as Catholics, are called to be Christ to others in need, including feeding the hungry.” 
 

51 % have food pantries 

Of the parishes which responded 51% offer food pantries. On average, each month they are serving 5,950 individuals. And the monthly volume of food that is distributed averages almost 9 tons! Yet that only amounts to an average of 3 pounds of food per month per individual, a very light grocery bag if you stop and think about it. 

All this parish outreach does not include the food pantries being run by Catholic Charities in their various locations, nor does it include Pernet Family Health Service, Knights of Columbus food drives, many St. Vincent de Paul Societies, and other Catholic organizations. 

Many of these parishes recognize that it takes more than just their efforts to respond to the local need, so some have teamed up with other churches in ecumenical programs and even their towns to serve the local community. 

St. Mary Parish in Milford, for example, collects food donations on an on-going basis for the local Daily Bread Food Pantry.  

St. Denis hosts a food pantry in the basement of their rectory for the town of Douglas, which serves 50-75 families per month.  

St. Peter Parish in Northbridge supports Peace of Bread which is located at the United Presbyterian Church in Whitinsville.  

Some parishes which might not have a need in their own community support other diocesan parishes in areas of greater need. For example, St. Joseph Parish in Auburn and St. Christopher Parish in Worcester collect food for the St. Joan of Arc Parish food pantry in Worcester. 

Thirteen parishes responded that they host a meal, separate from food pantries. Those meals range from daily (at two parishes), to weekly (at four parishes), to monthly (at four parishes), and seasonally (at three parishes).  

Equally impressive is the fact that they serve, on average, more than 2,750 people per month. 

Again, collaboration has been seen in many of them and sometimes they host meals with other groups. St. Boniface Parish hosts meals at the North Star Family Shelter in Leominster one week each quarter. They also deliver and help serve one meal per month at Our Father’s House homeless shelter in Fitchburg. 

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Winchendon hosts Our Neighbor’s Kitchen twice a month, feeding 40-50 people at each meal.  

St. Anthony of Padua Parish hosts a meal once a month at the UCC Federated Church in Webster. 

Parishes also pointed out that they supplement many of their programs with seasonal food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as supporting local fund-raising walks in their communities.  

So next time you wonder what you are going to cook for dinner, add a prayer for the people who are wondering if they will have food to cook.