May Philanthropy Spotlight: St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters

It's now been over a year since the beginning of the pandemic, but around this time in May marks a year since I returned to the city. After a month and a half of country living, being back in the city felt stark and hopeless. The city felt more dangerous and the risk factor of catching the virus had skyrocketed at that point. When I returned to the office I attempted to walk to work and while it didn't last long, there was a lasting impact. Every morning I would pass the St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters and my heart would break. There was a line out the door and around multiple street corners of people seeking help. It was honestly a major wake-up call and reminded me that I needed to 

Started by Joseph Sano and Father Francis Gasparik over 17 years ago, the St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters support multiple shelters and pantries throughout the Tri-State area. They focus on providing a wide range of services to feed, clothe, counsel, and alleviate physical and emotional hunger in a dignified and supportive manner. The St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters host numerous events, such as the "Celebrity Doodle", where they auction off drawings done by celebrities. As a charity that relies more and more on private donations, events really boost the bottom line, so having to take a 75% hit at a time when more people than ever are seeking assistance was brutal. 

I'm hoping you'll feel inspired to donate to such a worthy charity this month. I know I sound like a broken record, but there is nothing more rewarding than giving back. I chose to higlight the St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters because I distinctly remembered seeing Father Francis Gasparik and the Friars each morning greeting the line of people in need and offering much needed comfort and reassurance. I saw for myself the compassion and dedication they had for those in need. Please do consider donating to a charity this month, especially St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters - they support so many and every dollar counts! 

"For it is in the giving that we receive". 

ARS xx

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