St. Mary’s Food Pantry
Saint Mary’s Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul established the food pantry in 1990. The pantry is located on the lower floor of the rectory. A monthly parish-wide food collection is held on the first full weekend of each month. Donations may be dropped off at the doors of the church, before all weekend Masses. Members of our St. Vincent de Paul Society shelve the items, check expiration dates, and, in general, tidy up the pantry. Bulletin notices remind parishioners of the upcoming collection. The notices also list items that are running low. In general, all non-perishable food items, all paper products, personal care items, laundry detergent, baby necessities, and all the staples of life are always needed.
When someone in the community calls the rectory in need of food, SVDP members pack up bags of food for the person. We help anyone who asks. Usually the food is delivered to the person’s home. The members also may meet the recipient at the rectory, or the recipient may pick up the food at the rectory, at his or her convenience.
The food pantry is made possible through the generosity of parishioners. Several times during the year, other groups in town take up collections for our food pantry. We try to share our donations with the Franklin Food Pantry. In the past, we’ve also brought donations to Because He Lives soup kitchen in Rhode Island.
Also during the year, we are able to order hamburg, hot dogs, chicken, etc. from the St. Vincent de Paul headquarters located in Stoughton.
Members of the Society usually include a gift card to a local grocery store, so that the recipient may buy milk, fresh food, etc.
The continued generosity of St. Mary’s parishioners is outstanding and keeps the food pantry well-stocked.
Name of ministry or group: St. Mary’s Food Pantry
Total number of members: 16 volunteers
Examples of activities or ministry’s work: Bring donations of food from the church over to the food pantry in the rectory; shelve food; check expiration dates; tidy up food pantry
Time commitment for a member: Whatever the volunteer’s schedule permits
Who is eligible to join: Any parishioner
Contact person: Teresa Wilber or Joanne Brandenburg
Title / Position: Co-Presidents of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Phone: 508-528-0020 (rectory)