A Look at Our Sandwich Ministry: Working to Feed Those in Need Throughout Lexington

For Gloria O’Connell, serving through the Sandwich Ministry is a mission deeply rooted in faith, empathy, and love — ensuring that the homeless of our community are never forgotten.

“People talk a lot about the poor, but no one ever talks about the homeless — they are forgotten,” Gloria says. “When you don’t have a home, you really don’t have anything.”

Through the Sandwich Ministry — which Gloria founded in 2009 — volunteers make sandwiches each month for the Catholic Action Center. In the past, the group has also made snack bags and lunch bags for the Hope Mobile and Natalie’s Sisters.

“We don’t have a budget for this ministry,” Gloria says. “It’s beautiful that everyone donates what we need for food for the organizations.”

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group would gather on the second Friday of the month to put the bags together. Gloria says people were quick and they all knew what to do. Now, with the pandemic precautions in place, volunteers are making sandwiches at home and dropping them off at church on an assigned day. The sandwiches are then delivered to the Catholic Action Center.

For many of us, it is tempting to volunteer for a ministry around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays — it is certainly a popular time of the year to give back to those in need. However, Gloria urges parishioners to get involved with ministries throughout the year.

“The homeless are still homeless in July and August,” she says. “To truly follow Christ’s teaching, it is really important to help the homeless.”

Gloria says this ministry is very flexible, especially when the sandwiches are being made at home. This ministry works really well for Gloria because of her mobility and health issues.

“I see Jesus in these homeless people,” she says. “I am very thankful for everything I have. I definitely feel close to Jesus when I do this. This is my way of giving back. Christ calls me to do this.”

As Gloria continues her work with the Sandwich Ministry, she hopes that, someday, she may be more present with the homeless. She also hopes to eventually expand this ministry to serve other organizations in the city. For now, she is happy to help in any way she can.

“Homelessness can happen to anyone,” Gloria says.

If you would like to get involved, or for more information, please contact Gloria O’Connell at 817-317-8129. Gloria emphasizes that volunteers may come as often as they are able — there is no monthly requirement.

Volunteers gathered in December 2019 to make sandwiches for the Catholic Action Center.