Saint John Neumann continues its traditional large-scale food drive

Despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Parish of Saint John Neumann in North Cape May, under the guidance of Father Ernest Soprano, pastor, was in full force to carry out their semi-annual food drive, collecting over 3,600 pounds of food.  

This food drive is one of two major campaigns that the parishioners and volunteers hold each year to feed the hungry in the area. The effort is a longstanding parish tradition that has been carried out since the fall of 2011 and spring of 2012.

For each food drive, a leader speaks to parishioners from the ambo and displays a bag with the list of non-perishable food items attached to it. Parishioners and volunteers distribute the bags over a two week period, inviting parishioners to fill them and bring them back to church where they are placed on the altar as their sacrifice to feed God’s children.  

The items are then distributed the weekend before Thanksgiving to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden’s center in Rio Grande, along with the Lower Township Rescue Squad Food bank and Holy Redeemer Nursing Care Food Bank.

These food items, according to Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities, “have always been a blessing” to Catholic Charities and the thousands that the agency serves each year. 

“We at Catholic Charities, and all those we serve, are grateful for the tireless efforts and acts of mercy that the Parish of Saint John Neumann has carried out so faithfully over the years. These food items fill our pantries during times when donations run low, and this year in the midst of the pandemic, we are especially grateful for such generosity.”