At St. Mary Anne’s, we believe that outreach involves far more than writing a check. Our parishioners are involved in the life of the local and the worldwide community.
Food Pantry: Our Outreach Office is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 9:30AM to Noon.We have over 30 volunteers which includes our dedicated office staff, food delivery teams, loading crews, food room organizers and baggers, and those who come in to help us with special events. One of those events is our annual Thanksgiving Turkey and fixings distribution. In 2018, we gave out over 60 turkey dinners.
Our office was open 138 days this past year serving 1,249 families or 3,440 individuals. We bagged and distributed 6,284 St. Mary Anne’s bags and 1,257 federal food bags [TEFAP program or Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program].
Giving Tree: Early in the fall, local schools provide us with the names of needy children who can benefit from a Christmas present. Parishioners shop for gifts on the child’s wishlist and then, the gifts are distributed to parents or the teachers the week before Christmas. In 2018, we adopted 76 children.
Heart & Sole Ministry: We collect new sneakers and socks for local needy school children at North East Elementary School. In 2018, we collected and distributed 80 pairs of shoes and 258 pairs of socks.
Mission Committee:Our nine-member Mission Committee coordinates our financial gifts to projects locally and around the world, organizes parish fund-raisers such as the “Duck Races” for various mission projects, and leads in educating the parish in mission and outreach concerns. The committee has, as its mission statement, the following: The Mission Committee, through the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ, endeavors to encourage, educate and stimulate the parish to be Christ’s hands and feet in our community, nation, and world, not only in the use of our financial resources, but through love and action. In 2018, our Mission Committee’s budget was $33,230.00.
Parish Center Use for Non-Profits: Each week, the Parish Center is used for many community activities. Non-profit groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Boy Scouts, Al Anon, Narcotics Anonymous, a Senior Citizen Group, and a youth Chess Group, have found a home at SMA.
Rotating Homeless Shelter: St. Mary Anne’s cooperates with area churches in providing food and shelter for about 25 guests during the winter months. Volunteers from the churches, and other community organizations, help provide both food and shelter during a segment of the Shelter schedule.