Pantry Partners of St. Catherine

Background: Saint Catherine of Siena Pantry Partners is the new name for our Angel Food Ministry. Our ministry will continue to provide an opportunity for our parish to extend outreach efforts as part of the Social Justice Ministry as when the program first began in April 2010. What is new is that we are now partnering with Sav-Mor Market (Bloomfield) and getting the food items locally. Parishioners are encouraged to continue to financially support our efforts as well as to buy a food box for their own family, friends or relatives.

What the Ministry does: This ministry provides parishioners and other community members the opportunity to purchase or donate good quality foods for less and offers a convenient way to shop without shopping.Reducing the family food budget and easing one’s hectic lifestyle are not the only benefits. We can serve our neighbors who may need support by placing an order on their behalf.

How the Ministry operates: Each month, the coordinator of the program organizes the list of orders and matches donations with particular menu items for community members on the Simsbury Social Services list of persons in need. The total order is sent to our Partner Site, with our check, for a joint order to Pantry Partners Food Ministries. All recipients are notified that a food box will be available on that month’s Distribution Day. Reminder calls are made two or three days before pick-up to those who ordered as well as those receiving donated food boxes. On Distribution Day, always a Saturday, volunteers go to our Partner Site to pick up our orders, while other volunteers set up Russell Hall for the distribution of the food boxes. Volunteers have signed up for particular tasks for set Distribution Days; some volunteers have specific roles prior to this day, such as sign preparation, phone calling, refreshment preparation. A list of responsibilities with descriptions is shared on a volunteer’s first day.

When does the Ministry take action: Usually the third Saturday of each month is Distribution Day.

Why the Ministry may be right for you: This ministry requires a little time, but a lot of commitment. You are committed to value each member of the larger community with respect and caring. You are committed to two hours one Saturday a month to serve others with joy. Most of the work happens before Distribution Day, but without your financial support each month or your availability on that Saturday, the work can not bear fruition. If you can be generous with your financial support as well as time or instead of time, your participation in the ministry is what is right for you.