Food Van Ministry

The NEW Phillip the  Van debuts this weekend, June 3 and 4, collecting peanut butter, jelly, mac & cheese, and cereal. Also hear a report on the success of our collection to purchase the van!

Don't forget the poor!




 

Not only do we have an active ministry of people collecting and deivering food to emergecy shelters and area food cupboards -- the parish van that is utlized for this purpose is a bit of a celebrity! On the first weekend of each month, "Phillip the Van" (get the pun?) is parked at the front entrance to Church to encourage us to fill up the van with non-perishable staples: peanut butter, beans, pasta, rice, tuna, cereal.

Phillip even has his own Twitter account to share information about poverty and food needs in our community @PhilliptheVan -- follow him!

The current van is nearing the end of its life with us. It's been on the road with us for 16 years, logging many miles with heavy loads. We are in urgent need of replacing the van and have secured a good deal for a new van. The Tithing Committee has allocated the first 15% of the $25,000 cost. One generous parishioner has donated $1,000. What could you give to help us get a new van on the road this month? Just $20 - 30 per family would be a huge help. Please prayerfully consider your donation to a special second collection May 20-21.

This food van ministry delivers our collected non-perishables as well as food nearing its expiration from Wegmans. Every day our volunteers are at the Wegmans loading dock in East Rochester or Penfield, loading up on produce, bakery items, and prepared meals.

We deliver to Bethany House and Dimitri House, as well St. Andrews Food Cupboard and Sister Regis Food Cupboard which supports our sisters and brothers of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini parish in the city.

 

The daily Food Van time commitment is 8:00-9:30 am, Monday-Friday.  Please contact Ed Cala at 671-8381.

You can help Phillip the Van with collections each first weekend of the month at any Mass. Contact Cathy Kamp to help -- it's simple, rewarding and a great way to meet other parishioners. A great ministry for families and small groups!

Ways to help feed the poor each week at St. Joe's:
 

Parishioners are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items.  These are desperately need throughout the year. Food can be placed on the counter behind the chapel or brought to Phillip the Van at the front entrance of Church on the first weekend of each month.

Gifts Cards for grocery assistance are also needed throughout the year. Please donate cash or checks in an envelope marked "For gift cards." Cash and checks are preferred over donated cards.

Diapers and formula are collected on the 4th Sunday of each month for the women and children of Bethany House, a Catholic Worker House of Hospitality. These can be placed on the counter behind the chapel.

Cereal is also needed throughout the year for the Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf. Please place your contribution on the counter behind the chapel.

 

"Jesus' three questions to Peter about love are followed by these commands:
feed my lambs, feed my sheep.
Let us never forget that authentic power is service..."
Pope Francis 2/19/13