FATHER SEAMUS O'FLYNN SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
As appointed by vote of the membership at the council business meeting on May 27, 2021, the members of the Fr. Seamus Scholarship Committee are:
Tom Alexander, Steve Barthelmes, Tom Kelly, Bill Remy, and Bob Wessellman,
VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE
NO BAG HANDOUT - NO BAG COLLECTION - NO DRIVE-THROUGH
2023 UPDATE
HOMELESSNESS, UNEMPLOYMENT/UNDEREMPLOYMENT, INFLATION, COST OF LIVING, RENT INCREASES AND GAS PRICES ARE LEAVING MANY PEOPLE IN DIRE STRAITS, FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN FOOD, MEDICINE, OR SHELTER - PICK ANY TWO.
FOOD BANKS ARE REPORTING 50% MORE REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN 2023 COMPARED TO THE 2022 POST-PANDEMIC, WHICH WAS BAD ENOUGH. WITH THE OFFICIAL DECLARATION THAT "THE PANDEMIC IS OVER", MANY GOVERNMENT BENEFITS PROGRAMS HAVE STOPPED, LEAVING THOSE AT THE BOTTOM WITH FEWER RESOURCES.
MAKE A DONATION DIRECTLY TO ONE OF OUR LOCAL FOOD BANKS. THEY ESPECIALLY NEED CASH ASSISTANCE DURING THIS CRISIS.
For the homeless and the jobless, life is another day of misery and worry. It's hard to go to www.sjcfl.us/Housing, www.sjhp.org or nfcaa.net for advice and assistance when you do not have wifi, internet access, a computer or electricity. Local social service agencies strive to meet these crisis needs, but are overwhelmed right now.
Cash/check/gift card donations are the most effective, allowing the food banks to purchase what they need to better help people in need. It could be a gift card to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, baby formula, a tank of gas, medicine, or help with the rent.
There are many needs that cannot be met with a food drive.
Please make your check payable to one of the following local ministries:
Catholic Charities P.O. Box 543
St. Augustine FL 32085-0543
St. Francis House 1375 Arapaho Ave
St. Augustine, FL 32084-4258
St. Johns Ecumenical Ministries P.O. Box #860191
St. Augustine, FL 32086-0191
PLEASE DO NOT DROP CHECKS OFF AT THE CHURCH OR THE OFFICE. SEND ALL DONATIONS DIRECTLY TO THESE MINISTRIES (OR ANY
OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY THAT YOU WISH TO HELP).
If you wish to make a donation directly without a stamp and an envelope, you can donate through their websites via credit card:
http://ccbstaug.org/our-services
https://www.stfrancisshelter.org
http://www.stjohnsfoodpantry.org
DONATIONS MAY ALSO BE MADE DIRECTLY TO ANY LEGITIMATE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY
Always check with www.charitynavigator.org to verify exactly how well a "charity" acts as a steward of your donations. Avoid those who have excessively large fund-raising and/or operational expenses. Look for those organizations with high financial and accountability scores. For example, click any of the following links for Charity Navigator's Top Ten:
10 BEST CHARITIES NO ONE'S HEARD OF
Rating Charity Link
Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
