St. James Ministry Reaches Out to Help Feed the Hungry

In keeping with its mission to alleviate the problem of hunger in surrounding communities, Saint James the Apostle Parish of Springfield's Helping the Hungry ministry recently conducted a parish-wide collection of Breakfast Bags to help those in need. The group collected 2,500 to 3,000 bags.

In an outpouring of community cooperation and spirit, the Jonathan Dayton High School Volunteer Club alone donated 500 bags, while other large donations came in from Girl Scout Troops and Cub Scouts.

Breakfast Bags consist of gallon-sized Ziploc bags that contain three to four non-perishable breakfast items such as granola bars, small cereal boxes, juice boxes and individual fruit cups. They are given to guests at soup kitchens and food pantries so those in need can take the items with them and consume when they are unable to make it to a soup kitchen or to supplement their breakfast needs.

Due to the abundance of donations received, the ministry was able extend its outreach to a variety of organizations. The Breakfast Bags will be delivered to the following locations:

· Morristown Community Soup Kitchen

· Summit Helping Its People (SHIP)

· St Joseph’s in Elizabeth

· St John's in Newark

· Our Lady of Sorrows food pantry in South Orange

· Bridges in Summit

· The Sisters of Charity Soup Kitchen in Newark

· Family Promise

· Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchens in Roselle

The Helping the Hungry Ministry at St. James the Apostle Parish thanks everyone who participated in this collection.