'FEEDING THE HUNGRY', 'ST.VINCENT DE PAUL', THE CHARITABLE SOCIAL SERVICES MINISTRIES OF OLOL..........

The geographical demographics of Our Lady of Lourdes make it one of the most economically challenged parishes in Sacramento County.  As a result, charitable requests for food, furniture, housing, ultility bills, and rental assistance, come to OLOL, in large numbers on a daily basis.  Given the tightness of our own parish budget, it is not possible to provide financial assistance for housing, utilities, or rent, but the parish does have a longstanding commitment to ministering to the poor and needy in the 95838, 95673, and 95626, zip codes that comprise OLOL.  Our Feeding The Hungry Ministry, has been in existence for many decades, and currently provides groceries to more than a hundred families a week, each Tuesday morning in the Parish Hall.  Multiple bags of food stuffs such as cereals, fruits, vegetables, pasta, bread, dairy products, canned goods, juices, and baked goods, are distributed by parishioner volunteers many who begin their distribution day each week by being here at 4 am, to gather, prepare, and give away the food.....Those struggling to keep themselves housed are amply assisted by our Parish St. Vincent De Paul Society, which assists with beds and furniture as they need them.  The SVDP members gather names of persons who call the parish for help, visit and interview them, and assess the need for beds or furniture to help them with in their need.  The remarkable dedication of the parishioner volunteers for both of these charitable social services ministries is remarkable and an indispensable mainstay of parish life.  In these first three months of my pastorate, the dozens of calls and requests I have received have only been possible to fulfill, due to the Feeding the Hungry and St. Vincent De Paul ministries in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.  I, am grateful we are able to assist  the thousands of persons and families, who turn to us - by these charitable social services, which are a real response to a need that is ever present, and has only been exacerbated by the recession the past three years.  Please God, the resources of donations and fundraising required to keep them functioning will continue well into our future..........In The Catholic-Christian Charity And Social Service Of Being Disciples of Jesus,   Fr.  Troy