The program provides food baskets for needy families during the holiday seasons. Jill and Bob Ellis purchase products year-round to obtain the best food buys to make the baskets as meaningful as possible. Parishioners donate non-perishable goods and make financial contributions to enable the committee to purchase additional food and meat products. Each year the committee prepares approximately 175+ baskets during Easter and 300+ baskets during Thanksgiving which are distributed to families in the Greater New Haven area. Families with children also receive toys, etc with their food baskets during the Christmas season. Volunteers are needed to sort, count, assemble the food baskets and assist in the distribution process. For information, contact Jill and Bob Ellis 393-0787 raellis@optonline.net. If you would like to suggest a needy family to receive a basket, please call Anne (393-3164) or Gale (393-1968). All family names will be kept strictly confidential.

The Christmas “Angel Tree” program collects toys and gifts for children in Bethany, Woodbridge, the Greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas and Sacred Heart/St. Peter School. Parishioners generously donate toys and gifts, however, organizing and distributing these hundreds of toys requires a team of dedicated people. Your assistance is greatly needed on the designated weekend in December. If you would like to help on this project, please call Joan Murphy (314-6352) joan.murphy@yale.edu, and Nancy Slugaski (387-7900).

“The Giving Tree”

The idea for “The Giving Tree” was originated by Barbara Bessinger a few years ago to try to draw children into the feeling of giving during Lent. Parents encourage their children to do good deeds for others during Lent. As a reward they may take a piece of candy from the Giving Tree, which is set up in the church vestibule. The Giving Tree not only teaches children about the importance of kindness to others, but also teaches them the virtue of patience. For information, contact Connie Oligino 393-0526 onigilo@aol.com.

Mother’s Day Gifts for the Polly McCabe Center in New Haven

Each year on Mother’s Day weekend, parishioners donate new and used baby furniture and clothing for infants and children. The items are collected and distributed to the Polly McCabe Center in New Haven for teen mothers. While the focus of the collection is Mother’s Day weekend, baby items can also be donated and delivered throughout the year. For information or to donate large furniture items, contact Adair and Sonny Luciani 397-0867 pollytmc@aol.com.

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