Contact Person: Eileen O'Brien  / Tori Orton

To attend the spiritual and physical needs of those in our midst who are less fortunate than ourselves by collecting and distributing food items, clothing, and other goods.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the food drive?  It is the third Sunday of each month, twelve months a year.

Who receives this food? Parishioners registered for at least three months who are in need of food may make a request to the parish office.  A member of the pastoral staff will call or visit them to see how / if we will be able to help them.  We especially focus on children (ages 12 and under), senior citizens (ages 60 and over), and disabled people, and also on families experiencing difficulties (e.g., due to job loss or divorce).  At the June 2008 food drive, we assisted 18 families and 7 senior citizen households, totaling 96 people.  There were 29 children; 55 adults and teenagers; and 12 senior citizens.

How do you run a food drive?  Parishioners donate non-perishable food.  (We also get special assistance from the Post Office Food Drive every May.)  Any money donated is used to purchase additional groceries.  We also purchase milk, tortillas, and fruits and vegetables the morning of the food drive.  The food is sorted and bagged.  Families pick up their groceries from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  Deliveries are made to the homebound.

How can I help?  You can help by donating cash, checks (made out to Hand and Hand), grocery scrip, and non-perishable food.  You can also help by donating your time to sort, bag, and deliver the food.  Just come to the food sorting room (currently in the school) on Food Drive Sundays any time between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  There are no meetings to attend; just come and serve.

What food do you need most?  We always need protein.  Examples include:  beans and rice, stew, chili, peanut butter, tuna.

Do you do anything special for Thanksgiving and Christmas?  Yes, we have parishioner groups or families, including the grade school, sponsor our recipient families and bring food for a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, or bring a variety of food.

Whom should I call for more information?  If you are in need of food, please call the parish office at (310) 372-7077 and ask for Dr. Torie Orton.  If you have any other questions about the food drive, please call Eileen O'Brien at (310) 316-0543.