We are always looking for volunteers to help patrons shop and to restock shelves. Learn more about the Food Pantry and ways you can volunteer by emailing our Food Pantry Manager, Br. Ayub Mwenda.
 On Monday, September 15 the Food Pantry welcomed the new class of student volunteers from Saints JFX School in Wilmette, IL. Students from the 8th grade class will be taking turns volunteering on Mondays for the whole school year. Food Pantry Manager Br. Ayub said he is grateful for the continued collaboration between Saints JFX School and the Food Pantry.
Rudolfo, the volunteer gardener at St. Thomas of Canterbury church, harvested some of the produce he has been growing to distributed to the guests of our parish Food Pantry! *Updated September 8, 2025 Hospitality at the ParishOutreach Ministries at the Parish
"St. Padre Pio Parish had a 'back to school' supplies drive in aid of families who are clients of our parish's Food Pantry. We are grateful for their continuous collaborations."  Throughout the summer, Maddie and her colleagues at Loyola have been rescuing produce from the Uptown Farmers' Market. All the food rescued has been donated to our parish Food Pantry located at St. Thomas of Canterbury church. We'd like to thank Maddie and the Loyola community for the initiative which gives our neighbors quality food and fights food waste. The extras from the farmers’ market would have been thrown away but now they can be enjoyed!
The Spiritual Mission behind the Food Pantry's partnership with Ss. Peter & Lambert Parish  “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.” - Hebrews 13:16 What began with a question – How can we break ourselves and share our blessings with those in need? – has turned into a long-running collaboration. Over the last eight months, Saints Peter and Lambert Parish in Skokie, IL has become a cherished partner of the Food Pantry of Mary, Mother of God Parish. In July alone, the Food Pantry, located at St. Thomas of Canterbury church, served over 1,400 individuals. Stocking the shelves for these clients is only possible with the help of the larger Catholic community.
Fr. Braganza said Ss. Peter and Lambert Parish does other charity throughout the year, but their work with the Food Pantry is truly special. Every first Sunday, the Parish collects pantry goods. A reminder is put in the bulletin the week before and then the donations are collected at both of their parish churches. All the bags and boxes are gathered by staff member Felix Rojo who coordinates the pickup with the manager of the Food Pantry, Br. Ayub Mwenda OFM, Conv. “We’re grateful that the Food Pantry is accessible to the community,” said Fr. Braganza. “It’s truly making a difference by supporting those in need.” Mary, Mother of God Parish would like to thank the parishioners of Ss. Peter and Lambert Parish, Skokie for answering Christ’s call to serve with their on-going generosity as well as Pastor Fr. Anthony Castello, sfx. Associate Pastors Fr. John Atoyebi, Fr. Roncy Braganza, sfx., Pastoral Associate Sr. Kathy Maloney, and Felix Rojo for their continued support. Saints Peter and Lambert, pray for us!  The Food Pantry received a donation through Amazon from Edward Putonti! Thank you so much for your generous gift to our Outreach Ministries.
You too can donate to the Food Pantry. Click here to see the Food Pantry wish list. "The storage area not only looks neat and well organized but they will help maintain cleanliness which is very crucial in food safety. My gratitude to all the benefactors and everyone who made this project a success."
On Tuesday July 29, staff members Octavio and Lester helped Br. Ayub install the new shelves in the storage area of the Food Pantry. The funds for this project were generously donated by the parishioners of Ss. Joseph & Francis Xavier Parish and Mary, Mother of God Parish.  Last month, a group of high school students from St. Ignatius High School in California came to volunteer at the Soup Kitchen. This was part of a week-long service trip organized by the Br. David Darst Center. They greatly impressed us with their spirit of prayer and service. "All of us who are regular volunteers at this soup kitchen were very impressed with the group's Ignatian spirit and their help in preparing our soup for dinner. Before every meal the volunteers huddle up to say the Our Father and Hail Mary, seeking their help as we begin to feed our guests. That night's prayer was especially magnificent, because of the passionate manner in which the students joined us in both prayers. I honestly have to say it was the best pre-meal prayer I have ever heard in my 7.5 years of volunteering at the St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen!" |
