All those across the Diocese of Camden are being asked to consider their neighbors who are facing food insecurity by donating to the 10th annual FaithFULL Food Drive.
The FaithFULL Food Drive is an opportunity to put faith into action during the Lenten season. Parishes, schools and individuals are invited to take part, as well as those who attend the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress on March 25 at Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.
For parishes, FaithFULL Food Drive collections will take place before and after Mass on March 25-26. Parishes then have the choice to keep donated items for their own ministries, or give to local food banks or Catholic Charities of South Jersey locations across the Diocese’s six counties.
Only non-expired food will be accepted, and its requested to aim for healthy, no salt added, low sodium, and whole grain options. Priority food items needed are:
• Dried pasta and rice
• Canned spaghetti sauce
• Cooking oils and vinegars
• Canned fruit and fruit cups
• Nutritious snacks (nuts, granola bars)
• Dried mashed potato and stuffing mixes
• Canned and hearty soups
• Peanut butter and jelly
For participating Catholic schools, this year’s FaithFULL Food Drive will include a little competition, from March 20-24. The schools that donate the most food by weight in their respective brackets will receive a prize of their school’s choosing.
According to statistics, 657,320 people are facing hunger across New Jersey, and 175,830 of those people are children. The food drive is a great learning opportunity for students to understand the impact they can have in their communities, Catholic Charities of South Jersey staff said.
At the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, there will be FaithFULL Food Drive collections occurring from 8-9:30 a.m. at the event’s entry points.
The FaithFULL Food Drive has become an important tradition in the Diocese of Camden, due to the fact that the months following Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s leave food pantry shelves thinly stocked. Those looking to get involved beyond providing donations are encouraged to contact their parish. Volunteers can assist in a number of ways: help promote the food drive during Lent, and aid on collection days with gathering, boxing, weighing, moving and storing of the food. After the food drive, volunteers can help transport donations to respective locations.
For more information and frequently asked questions about the FaithFULL Food Drive, visit catholiccharitiessouthjersey.org/faithfull-food-drive-2023.
Katie Hagan is marketing manager for Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden.
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