Pictured from L to R: SVdP Volunteers Dan Moore, Tom Lazuka, June Fidanza, Mike Fischer and Elizabeth Wakefield. Photo credit: HF Chronicle
With the holiday season in full swing, many people have been generously donating coats, winter clothing, toys and so much more for those in need.
On November 19, Elizabeth Wakefield, SVdP Board Member, was the Project Coordinator of a Turkey Dinner giveaway, which was the first project for the group of combined parishes – St. Emeric, St. Anne and St. Joseph. These three parishes have now formed to become St. John Neumann. At this event larger families received turkey dinners and turkey breasts with gift cards to purchase the trimmings for smaller families. This event had 45 families sign up to receive dinners and would feed a total of 129 people. The food for this event was donated by the Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization.
At present, SVdP’s regular food pantry was on hold because of the parish transition, but she hopes it will resume at St. John Neuman at some point.
Elizabeth was happy to report that many coats and Christmas stockings have been donated at both the St. Anne and St. Emeric food pantries to help those in need as the weather gets colder and we get closer to the holidays. Money received from St. Joe’s has been going to purchase gift cards for needy families.
Great job Elizabeth and thank you to all the SVdP volunteers involved in this community project to help our Friends in Need.