The Birthday Bag

Several years ago, the students at St. Mary’s Academy chose a school project for National Catholic Schools week. The students thought kids who received food from the food bank should be able to have a celebration for their birthdays just like other kids. So they decided to make up birthday bags for them. Each bag contains, a cake mix, icing, a pan to cook it in, plates, spoons, napkins and even sprinkles.

The students brought in their spare change and sold donuts after mass to raise the funds. Then during the week assembled the birthday bags. First year they did about 30 or 40. Parents joined in and started to pick up an extra cake mix or so, or had extra bags to donate. Last spring 200 bags were delivered to the St. Vincent De Paul food bank.

Kids are incredible. They don’t see colors, they don’t see rich or poor. They just see other kids who need a little something to celebrate.

Our food bank provided 208 food boxes in the month of June. Our service center on west 3rd provided laundry for 72 folks, 100 plus showers, propane, bus tickets, emergency housing, and $1600 in clothing vouchers through St. Vinnies. For over twenty years, Community Meal provides food Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings for all who come. In addition, Bread and Blessings offers a breakfast Monday through Friday at 9:00 AM.

These groups use our facility free of charge. The homeless folks that use our service center are always in need of toiletries. When you’re on vacation and end up with some soap, shampoo, conditioner, and want to get rid of them, we can use them. Also on the wish list are can openers, hand sanitizer, sewing kits, Q-tips, safety pins, hair ties and dog food.