Feed My Sheep: Living out the Corporal Works of Mercy by Feeding Those in Need

As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops tells us, the Corporal Works of Mercy are ways we can help our neighbors “as if they were Christ in disguise.” One of the Corporal Works of Mercy is to feed the hungry.

The mission of Feed My Sheep is simple — to get food into the hands of those who need it. Since the start of the pandemic, the pantry transitioned from a grocery store-type experience to a drive-through. Volunteers pack boxes with everything from breads and desserts to meats and vegetables. On the morning of the third Saturday of the month and the evening of the Thursday that follows, about 20 volunteers are on hand to pack the cars of those facing food insecurity. The volunteers work hard, feeding about 500 families each month from Washington and the surrounding area.

Lois Schnarr has been volunteering at the Feed My Sheep food pantry for more than 20 years. She truly has a heart for service. She spent 20 years volunteering with Friends for Kids, where she mentored four young women in her time with the organization. Lois also volunteers for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

“It just makes you feel really good when you help people in need,” Lois says. “I think I get more out of it than they do. I volunteer as much as I can.”

Parishioners at Our Lady of Hope are so generous to Feed My Sheep. Lois and her sister, Mary Harder, always gather items from church to bring to the pantry. On average, Our Lady of Hope parishioners donate 300 to 400 pounds of food items each month. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Feed My Sheep volunteers pick up donated items from Walmart.

“We all see Christ in the people who need the food,” Lois says. “Before we distribute, the volunteers spend about 10 minutes in prayer together. We pray that God shines through us.”

Lois says that many of the recipients are facing especially difficult situations, from lost jobs to illness. Some of the people who come are raising their grandchildren.

We often think of canned food as the go-to for food shelf donations. But Feed My Sheep needs all kinds of donations, from crackers and cereal to meat and produce. Washington Catholic Schools carried out a cereal drive, through which about 2,300 pounds of food was collected.

“This is such an amazing way to support those in need throughout our community,” Lois says.

Be sure to refer to the bulletin for the items most needed for Feed My Sheep. If you would like to get involved, please contact Lois Schnarr at 812-486-7898.