RIO GRANDE – As part of Catholic Charities’ 40 Days of Francis countdown campaign to Pope Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia, a diocese-wide food relay will enlist the help of diocesan high schools to deliver a food donation to its six food pantries across South Jersey in a single day in honor of the pope.
Just 12 days before the Pope’s arrival in Philadelphia, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden will hold one of its most dynamic events yet as part of 40 Days of Francis: a diocese-wide food relay in honor of the pope.
A donation of $1,500-worth of food made by Charles D. Grimley, III, president and CEO of Grimley Financial Corp., was distributed that day among the six food pantries operated by Catholic Charities in each of the six South Jersey counties it serves.
In Rio Grande, students from Wildwood Catholic High School participated in unloading the food and helping to stock the shelves.
The journey began at 8 a.m. with a kickoff ceremony at the agency’s office in Camden. Bishop Dennis Sullivan of the Catholic Diocese of Camden will offer the sendoff prayer and blessing of the food.
“During 40 Days of Francis, we’ve tried to help our parishioners and communities prepare for the visit of Pope Francis by learning more about the poverty in our region,” said Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charites. “With this relay, we wanted to get our Diocesan high school students involved. What better way to prepare for the visit of the Holy Father than a day in service to those in our Diocese who are hungry?”
The food will assist the more than 5,000 people who receive food services through Catholic Charities annuall.
“We see charity as an essential responsibility in the corporate world. For 30 years, service has been an important part of our corporate identity, and Pope Francis’ message reinforces our commitment to supporting those struggling in our community,” stated Grimley. “We hope to encourage other corporations to embrace the same spirit of giving, as the requisite need has never been greater.”
