Magic magnet

Dear Parishioner,

Another refrigerator magnet!?! You’re probably thinking, “I’ve got 20 of them”. But this one is different. It’s “magical”. This one can put food in a refrigerator. Not yours. Someone else’s. Here is how it works.

You put the magnet on your refrigerator. You put something under the magnet. Something like a collection envelope, a string tied to your car keys, a grocery list, a picture of a child, a picture of me, a 1000 dollar bill. Something that will turn on the “magic” in the magnet.

On your way out the door, the magnet will pull you towards it. You will be entranced to put a can and/or box of food in a bag. You will be compelled to bring the bag to church with you. You will be inspired to take the bag from the car and into the food collection area in the church. Your food will be inexplicably transported to a family who needs it. A smile will appear.

And you thought this was just another magnet! I dare you to try it. But be careful, the “magic” is very powerful. Supervision by a child is recommended.

Jim Falanga, Peter Murray, Mary Murray, and
Emily Berberich

SVDP committee members

PS: We wish to thank Royal Carting for their generosity in sponsoring the SVDP magnet reminders

Why the “magic” works.

Bringing in a non-perishable food item or two for the food pantry each week is the difference between helping families in real need in our parish and turning folks away who could really use our help.

The parish helps feed about 50 families a month. In one way it is a challenge to try to feed this many people every month. In another way it is a blessing and a gift (the “magic”) that allows all of us to participate in helping others. Magnet Image
Please use the magnet, or whatever memory aid you need, to remind family members to bring to church each week that can of soup, box of pasta, can of vegetables, tuna, cereal, sugar or whatever useful meal item you can donate.
Detergent, toilet paper and other necessities also help since the money the family saves can be used to buy food we can’t supply, or pay a bill.

Just one or two items each week is a small sacrifice that makes a huge positive impact on so many – and on ourselves.

Where do you put the food items?

St. Columba:	Main entrance, door immediately to the left, a marked, green receptacle inside room.
Blessed Kateri:	Under the table in the back of the church.
St. Denis:	Under the table in the back of the church.

Who does it really help?

Our parish neighbors. True, there are social service and other agencies that provide help. But there are plenty within our parish who fall through the cracks. Mostly, they are the working poor, elderly or families in transition who can’t make ends meet. Some of our families have been helped fairly consistently over a period of time. Most are helped for a month or two, get back on their feet, and sometimes return when times get rough again. (The list of families is different each month). Some eventually help others by becoming SVDP members and/or donating.

What is SVDP?

St Vincent De Paul Society (SVDP) is catholic lay society of the three sister parishes that helps the general public with a mission to feed any family in need within our parish boundaries. We utilize a food pantry located at St Columba that also contains a walk-in freezer and refrigerator. Some fresh/frozen foods are purchased from regional food banks with donated funds to supplement non-perishable food items. Families in need are assigned a SVDP volunteer to coordinate the assistance. Often the caring is as important as the food.

For more information call (845)227-8380,
Hot Line (845)227-7863.

The ABCs of the SVDP magnet

Put a can or box of food in your car

Put the food in the collection area in the church

Repeat each week

St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Columba Rectory
P.O. Box 428
Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
(845)227-8380
Hot Line (845)227-7863

Special Thanks to
Tim Murray for the magnet design
and Royal Carting for their generosity