St. Raphael's Church, Long Island City
When the low rumbling of prayers end, and the choir’s angelic hallelujahs have filled the church, the crowd slowly empties out on to the wide street in front of the church.
As the streets begins to crowd, a frail nun in a Christmas sweater carrying a heavy bag full of cans is helped by one parishioner, and then another. Soon after rectory is abuzz with volunteers preparing canned foods, juices and other foods for distribution.
Thursday mornings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons, volunteers from the Saint Raphael’s congregation set up several tables, and work with the community to distribute food to the less fortunate.
“We do it because we want to. It makes me feel like I’m doing God’s work,” said Norma Zamora as she smiled to a woman receiving a can of peach halves.
This holiday season the volunteers hope to be as successful as they were during Thanksgiving.
“We were able to donate 29 turkeys to less fortunate families and 26 to numerous kitchens in New York, four of which we served out of our own kitchen,” said father Tom Petty, who was visiting the church, and was previously affilated with St. Raphael’s church.
The food, which is in part donated by parishioners also is donated by The Food Bank of New York, feeds over 100 families and individuals throughout the neighborhood, and has been an integral part in bringing the community together, according to Father Petty.
“We only ask for canned foods, but out of the goodness of their hearts’ parishioners have donated all sorts of foods,
even fresh produce that we can use for the soup kitchen,” Sister Mary Catherine said.“It’s miraculous.”
Students, from the associated school St. Raphael’s Catholic School, are encouraged to participate to gain extra community service hours.
“I like to help anyway,” said eighth grader Adrian Mitre. “I’m already done with my community service time, doing this helps me realize that there are bigger problems than homework or girls.”
St. Raphael’s pantry hopes to double it’s donations from last year, which fed over 300 people according to Norma Zamora.