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The Community Food Program celebrates the life of Sister Jean, who passed away on September 30th.  Sister Jean was a dear friend of many of us who worked with her.  She was the founder of the Theresa Maxis Center, which was a mission of the Immaculate Heart Mary sisters in Southwest Philadelphia.

Sister Jean always said her mission was to “meet the people and take care of their needs.”   That she did by  working with clients on their resumes for jobs, getting them ready for the GED, teaching computer classes, offering spiritual counseling, and most of all, providing  food and clothing to all.  She was the heart and soul of the center!

We are grateful for all that Sister Jean taught us about representing “the Church” to all the people we meet.  Well done good and faithful servant!

This year marks Catholic Relief Services 75th year of putting faith into action to help individuals in need, both locally and globally.  NDS receives 25% of the CRS Rice Bowl donations, which is used to purchase foods for our cupboards and soup kitchens.  Thank you for your faithful support for the last 75 years!

Pictured above:  Lizanne Hagedorn, NDS Director; Anne Ayella, CRS Diocesan Director; Anne Murphy, former NDS board member; Bethany Welsh, NDS board member; Maureen McCullough, and CRS Mid-Atlantic Regional Director.

For more than three years, the Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard located in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood has provided emergency food assistance to those in need. Each week, the cupboard directly impacts approximately 40 clients, who receive a variety of fresh and non-perishable foods including canned tuna, salmon, lean meats, fresh produce, whole grain pasta and rice, and low-sodium canned goods.

Sister Anna Marie, a Religious Sister of Mercy and Registered Nurse, manages the cupboard located in the basement of the Saint Helena’s Convent with the help of seven dedicated volunteers. In addition to managing the food bank, Sister Anna Marie visits homebound older adults through the “Friendly Visitors” Program.

Sister Anna Marie said, “Originally the cupboard was located at Incarnation of Our Lord Parish. Though we relocated three years ago, we continue to serve clients from that area in addition to those who live in various zip codes including 19120, 19126, and 19111.”

Each week, the Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sister Anna Marie said, “We try to provide each client in need with two small meals such as pasta with meat sauce or macaroni and cheese. In addition, we offer blood pressure screening and health education.”

Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard is supported by Nutritional Development Services’ Community Food Program. In addition, parishioners from several parishes including Saint Ambrose, Saint Williams, and Saint James help to keep the shelves stocked with healthy, nourishing food items.

NDS is grateful to Sister Anna Marie and Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard’s volunteers for their dedication to fighting hunger. To make a donation to the Saint Helena’s Food Cupboard, please email Sister Anna Marie, amlrsm@hotmail.com.