St. Jude Church gets in the giving spirit

Children and teens from the Church of St. Jude made a donation to the St. Frances de Chantal food pantry on June 12.

The effort was part of the church’s Faith Formation program, which does a charity project each year. They worked throughout the year to raise money and collect donations. In addition to collecting food and gift cards, they raised more than $1,000 for the pantry. About 70 children and teens participated, with about half attending the Sunday mass at St. Jude’s, where the donation was presented.

“It was wonderful,” said Rev. Christopher Hofer. “I am so proud of our kids.”

Ele Ruth Melendez, director of social ministry at St. Frances, accepted the gifts on behalf of the church. She called the donation “absolutely beautiful.” She was especially touched by the children’s gift card donations. She said programs like these teach children about tolerance and helping those in need.

“It starts to plant the seed in them that they can help others, no matter what their lot in life is, and it’s really powerful,” Hofer added.

According to Melendez, the two churches have been working closely for years now. St. Jude’s makes food donations to the St. Frances pantry for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other times throughout the year. The pantry is open all year to provide immediate care to feed the hungry and assist with employment. “We’re two churches working together to promote love and peace,” Melendez said.

Hofer agreed that partnership between churches is important to the community.

St. Jude’s will continue to work with its neighbors this year. On June 1, Hofer was appointed vicar at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Seaford. There, he plans to open the St. Jude Mission Center and has many ideas for programs that are still in the works.

Similar to St. Frances’s food pantry, the site would serve the Seaford and Wantagh communities with immediate needs. However, Hofer said they will introduce new programs as well, including a free community meal. “It’s a served, family-style meal for those who are hungry or lonely and are trying to make ends meet,” he said.

He hopes to offer this meal every Wednesday beginning this fall. After the meal, there will be a weekly healing mass and social work assistance. The outreach center seeks to work with local agencies to provide support and guidance to anyone who needs it. This includes providing space for existing support groups. “Whatever is needed in the community, we will be able to provide that space,” Hofer said.

He emphasized the need to provide for those who are often outcast from society such as homeless teens and young adults. “We hope to have as much of the community partnering together to help with people’s immediate needs,” he said.

Hofer said that if anyone has further ideas for potential programs, to contact him at the Church of St. Jude.