Catholic Charities Food Pantry Volunteers Serve As Christ To Those In Need

When our parishioners who volunteer at the Catholic Charities food pantry greet clients with a smile, and go about helping those in need with genuine welcome, they are helping the organization fulfill its mission of “extending to all the healing and empowering presence of Jesus.”

The food pantry volunteers at the Catholic Charities location at 620 Maine Street help with one of the vital services provided by the organization — and they do it all in the love of Christ.

“During the last fiscal year, the food pantry served some 22,000 clients and about 6,000 families,” says Erika Sutton, Community Services Supervisor at Quincy Catholic Charities.

Clients may receive food once a month, and have done so this past year under a revised system due to the pandemic. It is anticipated that the regular schedule will return soon.

The volunteer duties include helping with stocking pre-packed boxes for clients, as well as sorting donations, checking expiration dates, and whatever needs to be done to help the pantry run smoothly.

“They help the community and give back to the community and give back to people in need,” Erika says. “Our volunteers are some of the best in the community and do a wonderful job. They build rapport and make the clients feel welcome. I hear that from the clients. They are greeted with a smile and sent off with a smile, and we like that feeling they give.”

Catholic Charities helps those in need of all faiths.

“We are here in the service we do because of our faith,” Erika says. “With the volunteers coming in, they can help with our need of giving back and being part of something that is truly meeting Jesus’ mission to help the poor.”

The food pantry is stocked both through donations from Quincy parishes, but also through the Central Illinois Foodbank and the Midwest Food Bank in Peoria. The pantry receives commodities from these organizations and also can purchase items at a very low cost. The pantry also participates in Feeding America, which provides food through Sam’s Club and Walmart each week. Cash donations come in from the community, as well.

Besides the food pantry service, Quincy Catholic Charities also provides professional counseling; Intact Family Services, a state-contracted service to mitigate further child abuse and neglect, done on a referral basis from the Department of Children and Family Services; MedAssist to help with prescription drug issues; Mobile Food Pantry, a refrigerated truck that delivers food to pre-registered individuals and families in rural areas.

It is anticipated that volunteer orientation sessions will be starting up soon. Information will be shared with St. Peter Parish when Erika has it available.

Volunteers from our parish customarily have signed on through our stewardship program. When Erika receives their information, she sends letters inviting them to an orientation session. The requirements include completing the diocese’s Protecting God’s Children course, as well as having a background check.

Anyone who would like more information about volunteering at the food pantry may call Catholic Charities at 217-222-0958.

Although pandemic restrictions have altered procedures, the loving work that goes into volunteers’ efforts has not changed.