By Katie Vasquez
Pasta, canned goods and fresh produce are being loaded onto a truck with the goal of stocking it floor to ceiling, as part of St. John’s Bread & Life’s “Fill the Truck” campaign.
“For every dollar that we raise, we can provide one hot meal, which is outstanding considering the cost of food,” Sister Caroline Tweedy, RSM, the executive director of St John’s Bread & Life, told Currents News.
The Brooklyn emergency food program sends the supplies to 26 locations as part of their mobile market.
It is much needed as the Bed-Stuy non-profit has had to do more with less, thanks to cuts in government funding.
“We are in the ballpark of almost $1 million loss, less revenue, of food and and grant money, for us to provide for the people that live in this community and the other community,” Sister Marie Sorenson, SC, director of St. John’s Bread & Life, explained. “That impact kind of takes our breath away sometimes. But we are working very hard to try to make up that shortfall.”
Sister Marie described how the generosity of others helps their guests like one woman who has to feed four teenage sons.
“Anybody who has raised children knows that teenage sons, teenagers in general, can really put a dent in your food budget,” said Sister Marie. “So she’s come in, every day or every time she’s able to shop, and she makes a point of saying how important Bread & Life has been to be able to provide the food that her sons need as growing young men.”
The organization is continuing their Vincentian mission to serve others with joy “to bring awareness during this time of fall and harvest, of abundance, food that is needed in our community” Sister Marie noted.
“No one should be hungry. No one should go without a home. No one should go without healthcare,” added Sister Caroline Tweedy, “all of those basic necessities that we often take for granted.”
They hope to reach their $50,000 goal by the end of the month, but always welcome donations.
If you want to help, just head to their website.