Lenten Season Parish Almsgiving
Week One (Week of MARCH 4/5): FOOD FOR FRIENDS BACKPACK MINISTRY
Did you know one in five children are hungry? Our community is no different than other communities. The Food for Friends ministry partners with Channel One to provide weekend food assistance for Ben Franklin students in need. Ben Franklin is a school with 823 students, with 69% of those students on the reduced/free lunch program. All public elementary schools are sponsored by a church and have this program. Church of the Resurrection is helping 120 participants at this time. In addition to packing and distributing food items each week, we have extended this ministry by collecting additional food items to supplement what is already packaged. This is ongoing and the food item collected changes monthly. In January, we made our goal of collecting 130 boxes of cereal, and in February, we collected pasta and rice. Fresh fruit is also purchased each week to send home – a favorite of the students. Putting just one more item in their bag makes a big difference. Ben Franklin also has a food shelf for those who have needs during the week. Our ministry does not end with food items. This ministry, and our parish members, has been very generous in purchasing tennis shoes, snow boots, winter outerwear, clothing, socks, towels, etc. Special projects such as providing greeting cards during special times throughout the school year, putting together bags of personal hygiene products, books, and helping out in emergency situations are just a few of the things we have done to help others. You do not need to be a part of the ministry to make donations of food or money. All are welcome.
The key needs for the Food for Friends are:
Monetary Donations; we welcome monetary donations. Your financial contributions would help us continue to purchase oranges, apples, bananas, etc. to send home with the children. (Please make checks payable to: Resurrection and record Backpack Program on the Memo line.) Money is also used in emergency situations working closely with administration and social workers.
Food Pantry Donations: Watch the bulletin for the monthly item requested, and/or feel free to donate items of your choice. Canned items only – glass gets broken before it reaches the household.
Week Two (Week of MARCH 11/12): COMMUNITY FOOD RESPONSE
Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday, leftover food is picked up at various restaurants, schools, and grocery stores to be given to those that need a meal that day. Resurrection parishioners transport/pack restaurant food for distribution at Bethel Church on the first Monday of each month in partnership with First Presbyterian Church. Rochester will be adding another distribution center by Gage East, increasing a need for volunteers.
The key needs of the Community Food Response are:
Monetary donations: (Please make check payable to: Resurrection & place “Community Food Response” in memo line.) Monetary needs cover plastic containers, coolers, ice packs, and other supplies.
Volunteers: Drivers to pick up food, people to sort food, and people to distribute the food at Bethel Lutheran Church. Contact: Jan Helgren, 285-1246
Week Three (Week of MARCH 18/19): SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Resurrection invites caring people to assist our friends in Rochester who need food, clothes, rent assistance, utility assistance and other needs. Christ said, “What you do for the least of my brothers you do unto me.” Is it time for you to really live your religious convictions and give something back for all you have received? Come join us for an informational meeting on Wednesday, March 22 at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room at church. We invite you to come and learn more about our rewarding ministry.
The key needs for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are:
Volunteers: we are in great need of parishioners to join our conference to help with home visits. We meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in Room C. We will be hosting an Informational Meeting on Wednesday, March 22 at 7 PM in the Conference Room. We invite you to come and learn more about our rewarding ministry.
Monetary donations (Please make check payable to: St. Vincent de Paul)
Week Four (Week of MARCH 25/26): FRIENDSHIP PLACE
Friendship Place is located in Southeast Rochester across from the Meadow Park apartment complex. It is a volunteer organization that offers a friendly neighborhood gathering place for the youth of this southeast Rochester neighborhood. It offers after school, evening and summer programs to elementary, middle school and high school students. The population it serves is composed mostly of Somalis, Hispanics, African Americans and Asians. Volunteers offer companionship, mentoring, and tutoring to the youth. The mission of Friendship Place is “to provide a safe, caring environment where people of all races, ethnic groups and religions always find a friend.”
The key needs of Friendship Place are:
MONETARY DONATIONS (please make check payable to: Friendship Place)
SNACK ITEMS (store bought/individually packaged, i.e.; granola bars, fruit snacks, etc.)
VOLUNTEERS are needed to devote afternoons or evenings to be a companion to the youth. If interested please contact Friendship Place; 529-8791, friendshipplace10@gmail.com
Week Five (Week of APRIL 1/2): SUMMER YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS
There are some wonderful programs available for the youth of our parish, such as: Camp Summit (middle school), Steubenville Rochester (high school), Music Ministry Alive, Youth in Theology and Ministry (YTM), and the parish Mission Trip. Unfortunately, they often come with a hefty fee. Our goal is to ensure that no youth should be denied the opportunity to participate due to the cost.
The key needs for the Scholarship Fund are:
Monetary donations: (Please make check payable to: Resurrection and record “Scholarships” on the memo line.)
Adult Chaperones: Contact Rosemary Byrne, or Georges Montillet if interested.
Fundraiser Volunteers
Week Six (Week of APRIL 8/9): CRS RICE BOWLS
The parish has CRS Rice Bowls available for households who would like one. They are in a basket by the entrances.
For more than 40 years, CRS Rice Bowl has been Catholic Relief Services/ Lenten faith-in-action program for families and faith communities. Through CRS, Catholics in the United States assist 85 million of the world’s poorest people. It is one of the ways we can live Pope Francis’ call to end world hunger. $1 A DAY FOR 40 DAYS means 1 month of food for a family, 2 years of seed for a farmer, 3 months of clean water for 4 families.
RICE BOWLS WILL BE COLLECTED DURING THE PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS ON PALM SUNDAY or HOLY THURSDAY.