My Perspective as an Octogenarian Volunteer

My name is Roger and I am an 89-year-old parishioner at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church. I also am an active volunteer in the Food Pantry Ministry AND I love it!

I moved from Jacksonville, FL to North Carolina in 2022 after my wife of 63 years died. I now live with my son and his family. I was lost after my wife’s death especially as I cared for her in the latter years of her life.

After a couple of months lost, I decided to put some value in my life by volunteering at my new church, Saint Ann’s. My wife and I were both very active at our former parish and involved in several ministries for over 30 years. So, I went to the office and volunteered to get active in the Food Pantry Ministry. After two weeks, I knew I had a new family and a purpose! I had value back in my life again!

Here’s some background information on Saint Ann’s Food Pantry…We receive donated food from local businesses, parishioners and farmers. We also purchase food with the monetary donations we receive. Each week, volunteers sort the food, package it and distribute it to our needy neighbors in Johnston County. You do not have to be a parishioner of Saint Ann’s to receive this food, just a resident of Johnston County. You also need a photo ID.

Each family receives a grocery bag of pantry staples. We also give out a package of 2 or 3 meats, a bag of fresh produce, a bag of deli and a bag of bread (all while supplies last). Donated dessert items are available while they last. Each family can receive all this food once per month. We distribute the food through a drive-thru on Saing Ann’s campus.

Each family receives enough food to feed four people for a week. We bundle it all up and carry it to our neighbor’s vehicles, loading it for you. We average about 80 families per week, so we are feeding over 300 people each week. WOW!

Volunteers normally donate 2-3 hours each Friday; volunteer opportunities are also available on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

We serve our God by serving others.

We have many ministries at Saint Ann’s and we need more volunteers. If you are interested and would like to make new friends while serving our Lord, contact the Saint Ann Office.

God Bless!