Dear Friends,
As September comes to a close, we are reminded that change is in the air—the days are getting shorter, and soon, shorts will be traded for jackets. Change can be difficult, but at St. John’s Bread & Life, we’ve embraced it in positive ways. This year, we enhanced our intake system to make accessing services easier for our guests, introduced language options for our pantry, and adjusted our mother/baby program to meet the growing demand for diapers and other essentials.
Yet, with the challenges of government funding cuts—some programs seeing reductions of up to 49%—and the rising number of people in need, our mission has never been more crucial. Despite these obstacles, we remain unwavering in our commitment to ensure no one is turned away, continually seeking partnerships to support our vital work.
Take Mary, for instance, a Bread & Life guest whose name we change to protect her privacy. After facing personal tragedy and living on the streets, she found refuge at Bread & Life. Today, she is housed, receiving benefits, and rebuilding her life, thanks to the food, clothing, and support she received from our team. Her story is just one example of how we continue to provide a lifeline to those most in need.
September is Hunger Action Month, a time to reflect on the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, and staff, who make an impact daily. Our Fill The Truck campaign is going strong, raising critical awareness of hunger in our communities and providing 75,000 meals to those in need. It’s important to remember that although the pandemic feels distant, its effects still linger—1 in 5 seniors and 1 in 4 children continue to face food insecurity, with rising costs making it harder for families to afford healthy meals.
During this time, we also honored the memory of Fr. Mike Whelan, a beloved Vincentian at St. John’s who dedicated his life to service. In a beautiful tribute, an anonymous donor sponsored over 1,500 meals in his name on September 11. We are even considering creating a Fr. Mike Whelan Day in his honor.
Our Mixer for Meals event, held this month, raised over $65,000—funding more than 50,000 meals for our neighbors in September and October. Special thanks go to the hardworking event committee and our honorees, Kenny Peng and Nancy Lara, for their dedication and generosity. We are already looking forward to next year’s event, set for September 18, 2025!
As Mother Teresa once said, "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a pebble across the waters to create ripples." Together, with your continued support, we can cast stones that create positive ripples throughout our community.
With a joyful heart and deepest gratitude,
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