Stella Maris gives back in a big way to Society of St Vincent de Paul
- Ron Giofu
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
Those supported with food items through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) got some help thanks to a local elementary school.
Stella Maris Catholic Elementary School held a food drive and when it was all said and done, the school collected approximately 1,500 canned goods and other non-perishable food items.
The food drive went from Sept. 29-Oct. 8 with volunteers from the St. John the Baptist chapter of the SSVP picking up the food last Thursday afternoon.
Grade 6 students taught by Candace Zimmerman helped carry the food items out to the vehicles, with Zimmerman noting the school held the can drive for no other reason than to assist the community and teach the students about giving back.
“There was no reward (for the students) or anything,” said Zimmerman. “We wanted to help others from the goodness of our hearts. They brought in tons of stuff.”
Vice principal Franca Rezler added it was a way to give thanks and “show our gratitude for what we have.”
“We’re celebrating gratitude for the month of October,” said Zimmerman. “We want to be able to help others.”
SSVP volunteer Janice Ferguson said they were pleased with the donation from Stella Maris Catholic Elementary School. She said they get calls regularly from individuals and families looking for assistance with food.
“We have about 50 calls per month,” she said.
“We’ve never seen this many deliveries and this much need,” added her husband Brian.
Families can range from two children all the way up to six.
Schools are given a list of what groceries SSVP needs and the schools do the rest, he said.
“We are very appreciative of the schools who donate,” he said.
Janice added SSVP works with various schools throughout the year, with École St.-Jean Baptiste up next during the Christmas holidays.
Stella Maris gives back in a big way to Society of St Vincent de Paul
By Ron Giofu
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