TRUMBULL—Despite Friday’s rainy weather and Saturday’s snow squalls, parishioners from St. Theresa Church in Trumbull showed their generosity in donating non-perishable goods and personal care items to a food drive sponsored by the parish’s youth group. As cars parked outside the church, a dozen members of STAY (St. Theresa Apostolic Youth) donned face masks and gloves as they unloaded bags of groceries to assist those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All goods were then donated on Monday, May 11 to the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport and the Trumbull Food Pantry, both of which have seen an increased need in the clients they serve.
Understanding the importance of helping others, the teens from STAY planned and organized this event along with Father Flavian Bejan, the group’s coordinator. “It’s wonderful to see the youth working on their pillars of faith and service,” said Father Flavian. “This gives them a chance to serve and fulfill the mission of this group.”
Boxes of Cheerios, cans of vegetables, and loaves of bread along with packages of tissues, soap, and diapers quickly accumulated on 16-foot tables in the St. Theresa gym, as volunteers sorted items for each of the donation centers. In addition to these goods, parishioners also contributed cash, checks, and gift cards to grocery stores which will directly benefit residents in the local community.
“Everyone is so upset about the pandemic right now, but there are people having a much harder time than we are,” said STAY teen Elizabeth Clark. “It’s important to do this. By serving others, we are serving God.”
Daisy Rodriquez, Food Pantry Coordinator at the Thomas Merton Center, and Karen Seferi, coordinator of the Trumbull Food Pantry, expressed their gratitude for the donations when volunteers made the deliveries on Monday.
As Father Flavian helped remove packages from an SUV, he said, “Jesus told us, ‘Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, so you do unto me,’ and that’s what this is about.”
