We are blessed to have a food shelf at our parish. This longstanding ministry started because two women felt called to help people struggling to feed their families. Pat Finnegan is still coordinating this ministry. We serve on average, 80 plus people a month. Recipients of this assistance are parishioners, residents of our Stillwater community and sometimes transient people just passing through the area. We depend on the generosity of our parishioners to keep our shelves stocked. Please remember that for many children there is no midday meal and, sometimes, no breakfast when school is out.

 Food donations can be placed in the food shelf  cabinet at the bottom of the parish center steps. This cabinet is checked multiple times each week so we can also accept produce, bread and other perishable items.
Food needs at this time include:

• Pancake mix (just add water type)
• Boxed dinners such as Homestyle Bakes
• Sugar
• Kool Aid
• Jelly
• Medium & large diapers
• Cereal
• Personal care product such as toothpaste.
• Snacks
• Miracle Whip
• Laundry detergent
• Diapers, all sizes
• Fruit such as apples, oranges, cantaloupe, or grapes
• Garden produce such as lettuce, beans, tomatoes, squash, etc.
• Cub Foods Gift Cards

 If you or someone you know is in need of some food assistance please call Pat Finnegan between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday at 439-3241.

Over 30 years ago, Pat and others in her CCW Rosary Band saw a need; Father Fitzgerald agreed they could start a Food Shelf collecting and giving food to those in need. The criteria was, and still is, that this would be an emergency service to assist families through hard times. Those helped should reside in the Stillwater School District.

Over 30 years later, Pat is still at it. Each week Monday to Thursday, Pat takes calls at her home from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. When someone calls, she logs in their name, address, number in the family, and children’s ages. She then knows how much and what kind of food to put together so the family can receive three meals a day for five days. In fact, in 2007 our Food Shelf gave away 12,745 meals!

The day I was there, Pat had scheduled four “clients” who would be picking up their groceries. The love and respect she has for her clients is evident. She doesn’t ask questions, staggers the pick up times, and keeps names confidential. Pat says, “I want people to feel happy when they leave.”

As we walked along the well-organized shelves of food, Pat talked about the generosity of the people of the St. Croix Valley. She hopes we continue to donate food, money, or gift cards. Pat uses the money to fill in gaps in the food donated. She said she can always use spaghetti sauce and boxed complete meals that include meat are also needed

Pat mentioned that around the holidays, she buys some cookies, festive napkins, or M&Ms to include in the grocery bags. As Pat said, “It’s got to be a holiday someday for everyone.”

On October 16, we will celebrate World Food Day. Since 1979 this date has been set aside to heighten public awareness of the world food problem. What better way for each of us to honor this day and live the first Corporal Work of Mercy - to feed the hungry - than by donating generously to those in need in our part of the world. Donations can be left in the food shelf cupboard located downstairs off of the Atrium, or in the food shelf box on the ramp.

While I was there, a father of two picked up his bags of groceries. As he left, I heard him say something I’m sure we would all like to say to Pat Finnegan . . . he said “God bless you Pat!”

Fran Duncan, St. Michael’s Parishioner