Picture this: It is Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, and you are getting ready to head out to Mass.  You take a quick look in the mirror to make sure you are ready and then gather your family together.  Finally, as you pile into the car, you grab your bags of non-perishable goods, toiletries and gently used shoes.  Wait.  What?

During your previous times at Mass, you may have noticed a long wooden table, a tall cardboard box and a white wooden container directly across from the Resource Center.  Have you ever wondered what those receptacles are all for?  Our parish is a large supporter of Metro Catholic Outreach (MCO) which provides food as well as rent and utility assistance to any of our neighbors in need in the area.  You can bring a bag of non-perishable goods and leave it on the wooden table.  We have an amazing group of volunteers who sort and package the food and a group of drivers who deliver it to MCO.

Right next to the MCO table is a tall cardboard box that reads “Soles 4 Souls”.  You can drop off new or gently used shoes there.  The shoes are then repurposed and given to entrepreneurs in developing countries to help them start a business.  So not only do you reduce landfill waste, but you also help others on a path to economic independence.

You also may have noticed our new St. Vincent de Paul box.  This a Catholic organization that has a site in downtown Cedar Rapids.  They have several boxes at other parishes in the metro area.  Each box collects different items that help St. Vincent de Paul in its mission.  Our parish box is for toiletries.  So, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper etc. can be placed in the box.  MCO also collects and distributes personal care items. So maybe bring two packs of soap and toothpaste and give one to each group!

Thank you for the many ways you help to serve those in need in our local community and abroad.