Thanksgiving fundraiser to benefit Assumption Parish food ministry

Posted

PROVIDENCE — On a recent Thursday morning, a busy scene greeted visitors to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish rectory in Providence. Volunteers of the parish’s regular food ministry bustled around the hallway as clients formed a line down the front steps, entering steadily and leaving with bags filled with bread and canned goods as well as donated clothing and books. According to Sister Angela Daniels, C.P., pastoral associate and coordinator of the food ministry for more than 40 years, it was a slow day.

“We have an overwhelming number,” she said during an interview in her office.

The Assumption Parish food ministry was started in the late 1960s as a way to serve the neighborhood’s increasing immigrant population. Under the leadership of Sister Daniels and former Pastor Father Daniel Trainor, the ministry grew to meet the needs of thousands of families throughout the greater Providence area, stepping in when hard times forced other food ministries to close. During the last fiscal year, the parish distributed food for 37,626 individuals, an impact that would not be possible without the assistance of charitable organizations like the Home Loan Foundation, which will hold its fifth annual fundraiser for the ministry in November.

“It just evolved. And now what is happening is we are getting people from the greater Providence area who went to different food ministries and the food ministries closed,” said Sister Daniels. “We rely on the goodness of people to help us out. And there are a lot of good people.”

The partnership with the Home Loan Foundation began several years ago when rising food prices and a lengthening client list forced Sister Daniels and Father Trainor to seek out new resources. John Murphy Sr., the bank’s founder and chairman, had already become acquainted with the parish through his brother, a policeman serving in Providence’s West End during the early days of the food ministry. His brother often spoke about how Sister Daniels would take the police officers around the neighborhood after hours to introduce them to the families and help foster a good relationship between residents and police.

“They called me on a Saturday and said, ‘Could you help?’ and I couldn’t say no,” said Murphy. “He always instilled on me what a wonderful job they’re doing in that neighborhood. And you can’t turn your back on them.”

Through a combination of fundraisers and pledges, the partnership has resulted in nearly $200,000 donated to the food ministry on behalf of the Home Loan Foundation. Many people have become involved with the planning of the fundraiser over the years, including Larry Flynn, longtime friend of Father Trainor and Sister Daniels and chairman of the Omni Development Corporation.

“[Sister Daniels] was very happy that we stepped in and raised some money,” he said. “It was a small amount then, but it’s grown.”

Representative Scott Slater (D-Providence), who works closely with Murphy and Flynn in planning the fundraiser, said the food ministry meets a great need for the families in his district.

“It’s a very diverse neighborhood. One of the most diverse in the state,” he said. “The median income of a family of four there is about $26,000. So you can imagine trying to raise a family on that.”

Slater also noted the increasing numbers of elderly poor in the city, many of whom live in high rise apartment buildings for the elderly and disabled located close to the parish. To meet the needs of residents unable to leave their homes, volunteers from the Assumption food ministry deliver bags of groceries to the high rises on distribution days.

“They’ve done wonderful work in the neighborhood,” said Slater. “I think this event will be a great event. We’re hoping to raise a good amount of money.”

This year’s event will take place at the Roger Williams Park Casino and feature music, raffles and hors d’oeuvres prepared by culinary arts students from the Genesis Center. The Genesis Center, an independent organization founded by Sister Daniels and Father Trainor in 1982, offers job and language training to low-income and immigrant families. The center grew out of language classes originally offered at Assumption School and is one of the many resources beyond food assistance through which Sister Daniels and Father Trainor’s dedication continue to make a lasting impact on the neighborhood.

“The idea was to meet the refugees, to find out where they lived and to go to their homes and meet with them and see what they needed,” said Sister Daniels. “It’s all about self-sufficiency. It’s all about enabling mankind.”

Though the challenge of feeding the ministry’s clients has grown along with their numbers, Sister Daniels and current Pastor Father Gildardo Suarez are confident that with the support of donations and volunteers, many of whom drive from other regions of the state to offer their help, they can continue to serve an area in need.

“I know there is hope. I know we have people who are always ready to help and we count on them,” said Father Suarez, adding how glad he is to see parents and children from the church’s sister parish, Christ the King Church in Kingston, volunteering at the ministry.

“People are good. People are very good,” added Sister Daniels. “It always came in.”

The fifth annual Home Loan Foundation fundraiser to benefit the Assumption Parish food ministry will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Roger Williams Park Casino. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support the ministry. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 401-773-9932 or visit www.eventbrite.com. Keyword: A Night of Thanks.