St. Mary Our Lady of the Rosary

Dear Parishioners,

 As we have been hearing, food pantries and soup kitchens have been seeing an increase in the number of people they are serving.  Here is one concrete example of what is happening locally. 

 This past Tuesday Saint Mary Food Pantry distributed food to 166 households.  On average we distribute food to 100 - 105 households on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, so this past Tuesday we saw an increase of 60% in the number of people needing food assistance.  The vast majority of the new clients are people who were just laid off from their jobs.  This, sad to say, is another impact of the pandemic and the social distancing measures we are living through.  

 While the increase in the number of clients greatly surprised us, all of the volunteers came through to see that every household received equal food assistance.  Before opening on Tuesday, the food pantry volunteers had prepared 100 boxes, 100 bags, and 100 turkeys for distribution, and almost all were distributed before 11 a.m.  During the “lunch break,” several volunteers prepared another 80 boxes, 80 bags, and 80 turkeys for distribution during the afternoon.  While the increase in the number of clients surprised us, our system did not buckle that day and we were able to provide equal assistance to every household that came, which is a tremendous positive testament to all of our food pantry volunteers, for their hard work, their many hours in the food pantry, their insight, and their planning ahead.  Certainly food pantries everywhere are a bright ray of hope right now.

 While we were able to meet the demand this past Tuesday, the sources of food donations and food purchases are greatly limited right now.  A grocery store we shop with was not able to provide an order a week ago Friday due to customer demand.  The bakery all local food pantries get bread from had only about 120 loaves for the whole group.  The Gemma Moran Food Bank gave a very limited amount to us because their own limited resources have to be spread out to all of the local food pantries and soup kitchens.  Needless to say, the supply line is disrupted at the moment.  To give one example, we pre-ordered cans of potatoes – we were given 24 cans to distribute (yes, that is meant for 166 households).  This is in no way intended to disparage anyone – the organizations that supply food pantries need donations too!  While financial donations are certainly helpful and appreciated, what we really need right now are food donations.

 As we prepare for the next distribution on April 14, the Saint Mary Food Pantry is in need of the following items:

·         tuna fish

·         canned ravioli

·         chicken noodle soup

·         pasta sauce

·         baked beans

·         boxes of macaroni and cheese

 If you are able to help and can purchase some of these items for the Food Pantry, it will be greatly appreciated, not only by the volunteers but also by those who need food assistance.  Donations can be delivered one of three ways:

(1)   Place them in the shipping cart located inside of Saint Mary Church behind the last pew (the recommended way);

(2)   Bring them to the rectory between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and deliver them in person; or

(3)   Bring them to the rectory and leave them on the porch and ring the doorbell and then walk away so as to maintain a “social distance.” 

 I am sure that the “Two Can” Food Pantry at Preston City Congregational Church is facing the same dramatic increase.  If you live in Preston and would like to give a donation to the Two-Can Food Pantry, I am sure they can use the donations and they would be greatly appreciated.  Please contact the Food Pantry at Preston City Congregational Church at  (860) 887-4647 to see when would be a good time to leave donations. 

 Sincerely,

Fr. Ted Tumicki