Jesus’ call to care for the hungry is being heard loud and clear by members of the Saint John Neumann Parish, North Cape May, community of believers this Thanksgiving season as they participate in their fall “Feed My Sheep” food drive.
Begun November 2011, by then-pastor Father Ernest Soprano, the biannual collection of foods was designed to replenish supplies at local food pantries, pastoral council president Pati Sparks said. Another food drive held in the spring, dubbed “Lenten Sacrifices,” assures replenishment of staples at the food banks served by the project: Holy Redeemer Food Bank, Swainton, and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Camden.
To orchestrate the “Feed my Sheep” food drive takes many willing hands. Reusable grocery store bags are distributed to congregants on two weekends in November and returned Thanksgiving weekend, laden with nonperishable items, to be placed at the foot of the altars in Saint Raymond Church, Villas, and Saint John of God Church, North Cape May. Sparks estimated that this year’s bounty tallied about 7,100 pounds of food.
“By Sunday, the altars are full to overflowing as we try to do as our Lord commanded: ‘Feed my Sheep,’” Sparks said. “Our parishioners carry their food donations to the altar and give praise to God. Several volunteers are available to help those unable to manage the weight of the bags or the long walk to the altar, and many pickup trucks arrive after the two Sunday morning Masses to make the deliveries.”
The work continues as pickups laden with food arrive at the two food banks serviced by the congregation. Parishioner Ed McCrane aids in coordinating the delivery at Holy Redeemer Food Bank, a certified member of the Community Food Bank of NJ, which opened in 1995.
“I am retired, and I help out as much as I can,” said McCrane, an 81-year-old lay Dominican. “My wife still works, so this is my new career. We take care of 225 families per month.”
To those who erroneously believe all shore communities are filled with the affluent, McCrane said, “There is a need, for lots of people around here are on a fixed income. There are homeless camps in the woods. You look those people in the eyes and listen to them, and you want to do more.”
This Thanksgiving is the first at the parish for Father James King, administrator, who professed he was “excited to be continuing this parish activity because it makes the connection between the secular celebration of Thanksgiving, our celebration of Thanksgiving to God which is the Eucharist, and our response to God by serving our brothers and sisters in need.”
The sight of the parish’s two church altars overflowing with donations prompted Father King to add, “I am thrilled with the generous response the people of Saint John Neumann gave to our ‘Feed My Sheep’ annual food drive. This shows a great spirit and a willingness to share our abundance with those in need. I cannot think of a better way to give thanks to God than by engaging in the works of charity and working for peace and justice in our community.”
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