This was the scene Wednesday, March 25th, outside the Food Pantry when Holy Cross parishioners Jorge Savala, Phil Hodsdon and Mel Nunez met with the SCPD Homeless Liaison team to discuss the growing need for food in the homeless community. With Food Pantry Director Irene Lennox at home sheltering in place, Phil has stepped in to help out. He explained that there had been a 130-140% increase in the number of people seeking help this week. Even with eight people working on Wednesday, they were "slammed," Phil said, and even ran out of milk. Much of this was due to homeless families who have been given shelter in hotels by the city and need groceries.
Everyone from the California National Guard helping with packing at Second Harvest in Watsonville and the City of Santa Cruz considering Holy Cross as a distribution site to the fewer volunteers who are not in the at-risk age group are coming together to meet the needs of the homeless and underserved. We are grateful for them! BUT - this coming Tuesday, March 31st, at 8:30 a.m. 650 pounds of food will be delivered to the doors of the Pastoral Center by Second Harvest, and, as you might imagine, plenty of help is needed carrying it in and shelving it.
If you know high school, college students, or young professionals working at home, please ask if they can help this Tuesday with the food delivery and/or Wednesdays and Fridays for distribution. Thank you for passing on the word. "Many hands make light work." Email Irene at irenefraetroon@gmail.com and she will coordinate with the pantry.
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
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