NORWALK—St. Jerome Parish in Norwalk’s Social Concerns committee usually holds a monthly parish food drive, but with the usual schedule on hold due to Covid-19 concerns, parishioners were left wondering what they could do to help.
Meanwhile, Kathy Rohr, administrative assistant and parishioner at St. Jerome’s, also affectionately called the “ring-leader” of the drive-by, began thinking of a way to connect Father David Blanchfield and Father Rojin Karickal with their parish family, while still maintaining social distancing rules.
Thus, the idea for a “drive-by” food drive was born.
Rohr borrowed some cones from All Saints Catholic School and set up a drive through. “At one point we had to establish three lanes to keep cars off the road. It was 35 minutes straight of car after car,” said Rohr. Traffic was managed by Jeff Rohr and Jim Howe. Parishioners made signs and shouted out greetings to their beloved priests, who waved from the sidewalk. Many brought homemade cards for essential workers, which was part of a project for religious education students.
“It was an awesome experience to meet our beloved parishioners with a distinctive spirit, enthusiasm and joy,” said Father Rojin. “The whole event was really uplifting!”
Masked and gloved volunteers were kept to a minimum, although many parishioners offered to help. Food donations were transported by Matt Rohr, Jimmy Howe and Anthony Vayda (three high school seniors from Notre Dame in Fairfield) and Jack Rohr (an NDF alum and current LaSalle University junior).
The parish’s Sewing Brigade, which has been making masks and surgical caps for various hospitals, nursing homes and agencies, passed out masks to parishioners in need. Masks were distributed by Aimee Russo and Daniela O’Callaghan.
Parishioners also had the opportunity to make monetary donations to both Person-to-Person Agency in Norwalk, whom the food donations were for, and the parish itself.
The event collected over 1,000 food items weighing in at 1,275 pounds along with $2,592 in cash and checks for Person-to-Person. “St. Jerome’s Social Concerns Committee has worked with this local agency for years,” says Rohr, who sorted donations along with Dina Howe. “They are a pillar of the community in caring for the needs of our neighbors.”
“Last Saturday when a parade of parishioners in cars came by to drop off food for the hungry and wave to Father Rojin and myself, it felt like Easter,” shared Father David. “The community came alive in Christ to feed the needy and it was all done in the bright, warm sunshine. Alleluia!”
By Elizabeth Clyons
