Feed the Hungry: Loaves & Fishes

"God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with."

Billy Graham

Donate non perishables or money on the third weekend of the month to benefit various outreach ministries of our parish.  You can also volunteer before and after mass to collect money or food and to meet and greet people as they gather for Mass and thank them for their donations.  It's a rewarding ministry for group or family participation. This ministry was started in the early 1990's as a commitment to service which grew out of a small faith sharing group. Contact Mary and Tim Alters at 262-968-3338 (talters@wi.rr.com).

Time Commitment:
Once a month arrive 20 minutes before mass.  You can serve once per year or as often as you like.

DONATIONS FROM THIS MINISTRY SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:   

Donations to Loaves and Fishes fund the purchase of groceries; one of our fellow parishioners does the shopping each month.  Casa Maria, a House of Hospitality in the Catholic Worker tradition, offers a place to live for single women and their children in need of housing.  Our fellow parishioner also delivers donations from Panera to Casa Maria.  As a parish, we support these women and children through our Giving Tree gifts, Heavenly Babies Layette bags, donations from our parish Free Clothing Share, and with supplies to the Community Center in the Casa Maria community.  Because the new families are always arriving, donations of clothing (newborn to size children's 12) are always needed.  To find out more, contact Nancy Reinbold 262- 968-4564 or visit the Casa Maria website. 

Money donations in Lent allow us to buy hams and other perishables to accompany the non- perishable food items supplied by our parish members during the parish food drive.  Parish members sort the food and pack the baskets and greet the recipients of the Easter food baskets when they come to pick up their Easter fixings. If you know of a family in need who could use a Easter Meal Basket or if you would like more information, contact the parish office.

Non perishables donated each month to Loaves and FIshes are shared within our local community.  Items in high demand, like laundry detergent, which are not normally donated, are regulary purchased by one of our fellow parishioners with the Loaves and Fishes funds.  If you would like more information about the Kettle Moraine Food Pantry, contact Vera Switalski, a parishioner who is on the board:  262-392-2389.

Since 1982, St. Paul Parish has provided a nutritious meal on the 4th Thursday of each month of beef stew (brats in summer) to support the St. Ben Community Meal for the homeless and needy families in the neighborhood of 9th and State Streets.  Loaves and Fishes donations supply the food for the meal.  The students of St. Paul School donate bananas for the meal on Banana Thursdays.

You are welcome to join the cleaning, cutting, cooking crew at 8 AM on the 4th Thursday of each month. 
 

In March and October, 6-8 volunteers assist Hope Center in their mission to serve people in need in Waukesha County.  Our volunteers, often students in the high school formation program, serve the meal, beverages, and desserts.  They clean up the dining room and help clear and wash the dishes.  They also bring donations of milk and desserts. 

Contact the parish office if you would like to participate in our next meal program opportunity. 

Fair trade coffee, which directly supports farmers in Tanzania, Africa, is available for sale on the self service cart in the Gathering Space.  Contact Mark Montanye (montanyem@yahoo.com) for more information.  

The project enables the small coffee farmers living on the slopes of Mount Meru in Tanzania to have funds available to send their children to school, access and pay for health care, and to support local farm villages, markets, and merchants.

The Project provides small farmers with a fair price for their premium coffee. A fair price provides an increase in farm income, allowing the farmers to support their families with dignity.

Purchasing and drinking Mt. Meru Premium Tanzanian Coffee is the single most important way in which individuals, congregations and businesses can support thousands of family coffee farmers in Tanzania.
https://www.mtmerucoffee.org/