In the Gospel at the beginning of Lent, Jesus tells us we should give alms. He mentions this first before prayer and fasting.
Almsgiving is defined as giving to others as an act of virtue. As Catholics the Lenten call to almsgiving means making the needs of other people our own. One of the central lessons of the cross is compassion; the heavy burdens we carry helps us to appreciate the suffering in others. Sharing our material goods is often just the beginning of real Christian giving.
Here at St. John the Baptist Church we have many opportunities to give alms, our St. Vincent de Paul Conference provides you with an opportunity to not only fulfill your Lenten call but to help others all year long. We sponsor a food pantry two times a month. We normally serve 140 families each month with food the conference buys from the local Food Bank or from generous donations. You can help with food donations or monetary donations. If food donations are your almsgiving choice, please refer to the following list of foods we provide each pantry. No glass containers or larger sizes please.
Donations can be brought the Parish office. On the first Sunday of every month there are collection baskets in the church so you can drop your donations off when you attend Mass.
Thank you.
Pantry Food Donations
No glass containers or larger sizes
Canned Tuna 5 oz. can Mac & Cheese 9 oz box
Canned Chicken 5 oz. can Ramen 3 oz. package
Canned Soup 10.5 oz can Pasta 1 pound package
Canned Vegetables 15 oz. can Rice 1 pound bag
Canned Fruit 15 oz. can Dry Beans 1 pound bag
Pasta Sauce 24 oz. can Peanut Butter 12 oz. plastic jar
Dry Cereal 12-18 oz. package