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Diocesan Roundup

CARLOS BRICENO | FLORIDA CATHOLIC ST. PETERSBURG BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 11.16.07

St. Vincent de Paul

The next three weeks will be busy ones for St. Vincent de Paul’s executive chef, Bill Beecher, his staff and volunteers as they begin to fill some 200 food baskets for needy families and prepare their traditional feast for an expected crowd of 300 homeless guests at the food center on Thanksgiving Day.

“Once again, we’re relying on the generosity of the friends of the poor to donate the food we’ll need to provide a bountiful meal for the hungry and the homeless this Thanksgiving,” said Beecher, adding that the center, now averaging 22,800 meals a month, is serving an ever-increasing number of clients every day.

The holiday needs include frozen turkeys, stuffing mix, packaged or jarred gravy, cans of cranberry sauce, whole or sliced white potatoes, sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, string beans, carrots and peas, as well as pumpkin and apple pies.

“Our Thanksgiving meal will be served in the dining room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by a full complement of volunteers who already have signed up to help us,” said Beecher. “The dining room will be festive with tablecloths and holiday decorations, and it will be as close to ‘home’ as we can make it for those who have no family and nowhere to go. Here they’ll find a warm welcome and a wonderful meal made possible by compassionate, caring people.”

Donations may be delivered to the food center’s kitchen entrance at Fourth Avenue North and 15th Street any weekday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Beecher also reminded the public that with the colder weather coming, St. Vincent de Paul also collects “gently used” clean blankets for those who must sleep on the streets. These may be delivered to the district office at 384 15th St. N.

Benedictines

The Benedictine Sisters of Florida and St. Anthony of Padua Parish are preparing to serve a full Thanksgiving dinner this year to those who may be alone or in need. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, the meal will be served at the St. Anthony Parish center in San Antonio. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Serving is from 2 to 3 p.m. There is no charge. Interested persons are asked to call either the Benedictine Sisters at 352-588-8320 or the St. Anthony Parish office at 352-588-3081 by Friday, Nov. 16, to R.S.V.P. Requests can also be made for transportation to the dinner. Home delivery will be available to the homebound.

“Volunteers and donations are always welcome,” said Benedictine Sister Mary David Hydro, a member of the planning committee. “This is a wonderful community builder and an opportunity to visit with old friends and to make new ones. Whole families participate and there is plenty to do.”

She said a large group of volunteers helps out.

The first meal sponsored by the Benedictine sisters occurred in 1996, in response to Christ’s call to be compassionate to the physical, emotional, spiritual and social hungers of others, she said.

St. Anthony Parish has been a co-host for many years since, and last year 336 meals were served.

“Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate God’s gifts of family and food. Some people don’t have enough food and some people are far from their families, or don’t have the resources or the inclination to prepare a big meal,” said Sister Hydro. “That’s why we give not only a meal, but a chance to be together and to share with others. We believe that all the planning and hours of work are worth it and blessed by God because many hungers are fed at the same time.”

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