CAMDEN — Outside of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden’s headquarters in Camden on May 12, individuals and families were greeted with waves and welcomes from the agency’s staff and volunteers. One by one, cars pulled up to the agency’s food distribution site along Haddon Avenue.
Catholic Charities workers offer a sign of hope at the agency’s bi-monthly drive-through style food distribution.
According to Jose Sanchez, one of Catholic Charities’ program directors, these bi-monthly drive-through style food distributions are part of the agency’s ongoing response to meet the needs of those living in Southern New Jersey, especially those who are facing financial difficulties in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
Sanchez, who organized much of the drive-in Camden County, said, “It made me proud to see how excited our colleagues were to mobilize and volunteer for this effort,” adding how quickly staff from a variety of programs jumped on the opportunity to take on various roles before and during the distribution. The staff “were thrilled to be able to lend a hand, and everyone they served were appreciative and just as happy to see them,” he said. “There were so many smiles today, even from a distance and from behind the masks.”
While some Catholic Charities staff members worked outside to load food boxes into the clients’ cars, others kept themselves busy inside the building with other tasks: collecting, organizing and handling the donated goods; packing food based upon each individual client’s needs; and ensuring that all volunteers had gloves and masks.
As the cars pulled up and pulled away, other Catholic Charities staff made their way around the diocese, delivering boxes of food to those who could not attend, such as the homebound elderly and individuals who are disabled or living with severe health conditions.
“We wanted to make sure that everyone who was in need of food – whether they are existing clients or new clients – were able to receive it,” Sanchez noted. “It was a successful, organized and joyful day, and just one of the many important needs we’re working to meet.”
In addition to receiving food, clients were also able to access other Catholic Charities services, such as assistance with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) enrollment, housing counseling, mental health counseling and other resources.
If you are in need of assistance, or if you wish to help Catholic Charities respond to those in need, please visit: www.CatholicCharitiesCamden.org
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
