A Summer Like No Other
With the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 is certainly a year unlike any other. After a few months of classes at the Center, we suspended English, sewing, computer, and crocheting classes in mid-March as the public health situation become strikingly apparent. Yet, even with classes suspended and the day-to-day routine upended, we’ve continued to respond to the needs of our neighbor. As the spring and summer progressed we planted and harvested our community garden with the help of a select group of faithful farmers tending to the crops.
Meanwhile, our food pantry is busier than ever! Before COVID-19, we served about 150 families on a given distribution day, now in the midst of the pandemic we are helping to feed nearly 300 families every third Wednesday of the month, as well as providing groceries, fruit, and other goods to local students through the Catholic Partnership Schools in Camden. All our distribution is now done outside for the safety of all and we’ve welcomed a load of (socially-distanced & masked) volunteers to help us meet the increased demand. Increased demand has also been met by the abundant generosity of our neighbors near and far who’ve helped us keep our shelves stocked.
As the community and country face COVID-19, we’re also facing the growing awareness of the systemic racism in our country which effects all of us. The Center is trying to do our part to empower the community and, in living our mission each day, emphasizing the dignity of all people, the need to love our neighbors, and the work we must do to confront the sin of racism in our hearts and in our world.