St. Stephen's Pantry - NEWS and Updates

"When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice.
— Pope Saint Gregory the Great

We are still accepting volunteers for Inventory and for bag preparations and distribution days. 

If you wish to volunteer please send your name, phone number, and email to:
Mike Goss, Director - [email protected]
Ph: 301-642-3378.

FOOD DONATIONS NEEDED!
PLEASE NOTE:
You can buy food items on Amazon and have them shipped directly to the Pantry!

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Food Distribution Saturdays - 8:30 am to 9:30 am

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San Stephen’s Despensa de Comid Distribución de alimentos.Nuevo horario 8:30am-9:30am.

Donaciones
Las donaciones de artículos no perecederos se pueden dejar en la mesa en el corredor (Breezeway) los sábados y domingos, o después de las 3:30 p.m. lunes-viernes. Estos incluyen cajas de cereal, alimentos enlatados (atún, pollo, sopas, verduras, tomates y frutas), cajas de pasta, salsa en frascos de plástico y macarrones con queso. Además, siempre se necesitan pañales para bebés (tamaños 3-6) y toallitas húmedas.
 
Donación Monetaria
Las donaciones monetarias se pueden realizar a través de "Faith Direct". También puede hacer clic en la palabra Donar en la página web de la iglesia en www.shrinestjude.org y encontrar la Despensa de San Esteban, donde puede hacer una donación única. También aceptaremos donaciones en efectivo y cheques, así como tarjetas de regalo para las tiendas de comestibles.
Síganos en
www.facebook.com/StStephenfoodpantry.

The St. Stephen's Pantry continues to serve over 170 families each Saturday.  The need of the community is great and so is the need for donations.  PLEASE HELP!  See below for food items desperately needed.  Thank you.
Below are the continued most needed items for the pantry:
List updated 11/01/2022
canned soups
canned fruits, vegetables and tomatoes
canned tuna and chicken
small  bags of beans and rice
small bags or boxes of pasta
peanut butter, jelly and jams (plastic jars)
boxed pasta and pasta sauce (plastic jars)
boxed mac and cheese
boxed cereal

Note:  We DO NOT accept donations of clothing or pet food.
However, the Montgomery County Animal Service Division is here every Saturday and distributes free pet food.  They are also accepting donations.  More information can be obtained by calling 240-773-5925

"MCPAW"s and Claws
For your furry family members: The Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-being (MCPAW.org) and the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) have teamed up to provide county pet owners with petfood distributed Saturday mornings from 8:15 to 10:00 am adjacent to the St. Stephen Food Pantry distribution (at the back parking lot).

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NEW DONATION DROP-OFF SCHEDULE
Regular staffed drop-off is Friday 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

Please note, that if you are not able to make a drop off on Friday with the regular pantry volunteers present, you may leave the donations on the tables across from the Thaddeaus Room  AFTER 3:30 pm, Monday thru Friday and all day, Saturday and Sunday.  Please mark your donation "Food Pantry".

The Breezeway doors are locked from 7:45 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday for the safety and health of our school children, teachers and staff.

Your donations help those in need and are greatly appreciated.

MONETARY DONATIONS
Donation by CHECK:
Check donations are accepted for any amount.
Make check payable to:  "SHRINE ST. JUDE"  and in the " memo" line please write "St. Stephens Pantry".

We will also accept cashand check donations as well as gift cards to grocery stores.  
You can also donate through FAITH DIRECT

Many thanks to our dedicated volunteers who help every week!

The first food pantry distribution was held on May 9, 2020 and served 121 needy individuals. Distribution has occurred every Saturday morning since then, except for the day after Christmas. Approximately 15,000 bags of food items and 10,000 boxes of produce have been distributed over the last year.

The Shrine of St. Jude became a partner with the Capital Area Food Bank on September 8 of last year, and has purchased $14, 472.00 worth of non-perishable food over 8 months; with $9,000.00 of that amount funded by CAFB.

ST. STEPHEN’S FOOD PANTRY at The Shrine of St. Jude
Our Food Pantry has been operating since the beginning of May 2020, and the number of needy continues to average 300 per week.  

Donations of non-perishable items can be left on the table in the breezeway on Saturdays and Sundays, or after 3:30 p.m. on school days.  These include boxes of cereal, canned items (tuna, chicken, soups, vegetables, tomatoes and fruit), boxes of pasta, sauce in plastic jars & macaroni and cheese. 

Monetary donations can be given through “Faith Direct”. You can also click the word Donate on the church webpage at www.shrinestjude.org, and find St. Stephen’s Pantry where you can make a one-time gift. We will also accept cash and check donations as well as gift cards to grocery stores.  

Follow us at www.facebook.com/StStephenfoodpantry.
Petfood or gift cards can also be donated at that time or by calling 240-462-5000 or 301-437-6189. Monetary donations are accepted online at MCPAW.org and are tax-deductible.  

Follow us at:  www.facebook.com/StStephenfoodpantry

 Photos of the pantry rooms and kitchen.
Enjoy the photos. courtesy of Tom Roach

A Third Large Grocery Bag and Diaper Donation Received

On Tuesday March 1, 2022, the St. Stephen Pantry at the Shrine of St. Jude received a very generous donation of 20,000 grocery bags and over 3500 baby diapers  from the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA), a  construction industry labor union headquartered in Columbia, Maryland and former employer of Deacon Nick.

This is the third large donation that was authorized by OPCMIA General President Daniel Stepano.  This contribution adds to the 30,000 grocery bags and cases of diapers previously provided by the OPCMIA since the St. Stephen Pantry began serving our parish and community.

The parish and staff of the St. Stephen Food Pantry are grateful to Mr. Stepano and the OPCMIA for their overwhelming generosity as they assist us in our ministry to assist others.

OPCMIA Bag Donation video

Past Photo Albums
The food pantry received a generous donation of 196 bags of food from Twin Valley Distillers on May 22. 2020.   The food pantry also received an emergency donation of 500 paper bags from the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Thursday, May 21st just before bagging time.

The following link will take you to an online photo albums of the St. Stephen's Food Pantry and bagging nights at the Shrine of St. Jude. Photos ourtesy of Tom Roach

The Shrine of St. Jude - St. Stephen's Food Pantry - Bagging Night - March 5, 2021

Photo Albus of Bagging Night

Twin Valley Distributor Donation
photos, by Tom Roach

Distribution days: May - August 2020:
Enjoy the photos courtesy of Fr. Paul D. Lee
Photo Album Packing Night

Enjoy the photos.courtesy of Tom Roach
Photos of 1st distribution day courtesy of Tom Roach
The first weekly distribution was a huge success, serving 121 families. 

Blessing of the Food Pantry April 27, 2020