Food Ministries
-
-
Random things I've Learned from our Food Ministries. Really Random...
Mostly, people are really generous. People who give to the food pantry and people who come to the food pantry are equally generous. If that is a surprise, then possibly there is a bias hidden in there. I’m in that bucket. I assumed that if you have very little to give, you give less. That’s wrong and even evidenced by Jesus noticing the widow giving her two mites. That’s a Bible story - you know, not really relevant to real people? Yikes… wrong again… I have watched people give from their little to others. An unhoused man was thrilled to get fresh strawberries. A second grader walking by was disappointed they were all gone. He gave her his strawberries. She has no idea what it cost him. He said it was worth it to see her smile. It is humbling.
People who have very little are ingenious!
Otherwise they couldn’t survive! It is very hard work to be poor. Very hard. The stress never goes away. The fear of tomorrow and “what if?” never goes away. There’s no such thing as a safety shield. I, on the other hand, could probably live for a year on the food I have stored in my basement. What am I doing…
People who look raggedy are not raggedy.
They are children of God. They are our brothers and sisters. It is not okay to not see them. Do not look away. See them and smile. If nothing else, it acknowledges their humanity. And teach your children and grandchildren to do the same. Actually, I learned that from my father, not here in the pantry. If you know me, you have heard me say, “I grew up in a mental hospital.” Yes, I did. My father was the head of the hospital and we lived on the grounds. We had to wave or smile at every person we saw. I remember whining whhyyyyy. Because, my father said, no one wants to see these people and they deserve to be seen. That life lesson has never left me. Thank you, Daddy. I remember. ~
Lawson, Food Ministries Coordinator
-
About our Food Mninistries
St. Mary Neighborhood Food Pantry
The food pantry began in 2010 with a few cans of food and a locker for those in need. Over the years, thanks to generous donations, it expanded and, by 2022, became a full-time community outreach ministry. It operates entirely on food donations and funds, and is open over 50 hours a month, more than any other pantry in Madison County. The pantry also partners with other local pantries, a meat wholesaler in Indianapolis, and St. John Vianney Church in Fishers for additional support.
Soup KitchenOur Soup Kitchen, established in 1997, began with parishioner Ron Cole and sixcooks making 12 gallons of soup. It has now grown to involve around 60 volunteers who prepare various soups using donated or purchased ingredients. The soup is delivered to the Christian Center for the homeless and Alternatives for women escaping violence. Each month, they produce 60 gallons of soup, feeding approximately 720 people.
Second Harvest Food DriveIn 2015, parishioner George Zink and Tim Kaine from the Second Harvest Food Bank in Muncie launched a successful food distribution initiative directly to St. Mary School. This initiative has grown significantly, with food now delivered twice a month and managed by a dedicated team of parishioners. They serve 119 families—398 individuals—monthly through the Second Harvest Drive-Thru. The drive-thru remains open to all, supported by community contributions.
Panera Bread MinistryThe Panera Bread Ministry is a long-standing tradition in our pastorate. Every Friday evening, volunteers collect surplus bread and pastries from Panera Bread. The items are then taken to our food pantry, where volunteers slice and bag them for weekend distribution at St. Mary Church. Any leftover bread is sent to the Food Pantry to reach more people in need. This weekly effort ensures no bread goes to waste while helping those in need.
-
