By Sophia Soo
MIRI — In conjunction with its Food Pantry Programme, the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP), Conference of St Joseph Miri, hosted a food donation drive on Sunday 29 October 2023 from 7.00 am till noon. This was the second Food Pantry collection this year.
Food collection sites managed by Conference members and volunteers were set up at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Church of Mater Dei, Carmelite Chapel and St Dominic and the Rosary Church.
Accepted items for the bi-annual food drive include rice, salt, cooking oil, soy sauce, eggs, canned food, packet noodles, flour, biscuits, cereals, tea, coffee and baby diapers. Many parishioners came forward with bags of food and other necessities. Collected items were organised and distributed by the Conference members to 25 FIN (Friends-in-Need) families in and around Miri according to their needs. This is a welcome assistance for families struggling with the rising cost of living.
The Food Pantry Programme was an initiative introduced by the Conference in July 2022 to involve and encourage the church community to respond to the needs of the poor among them. Response from the church members has been heartening.
Currently, there are 27 FINs being supported by SSVP, Miri with monthly stipends for medical care, living expenses and even assistance to repair dilapidated dwellings.
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” – St Mother Teresa
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