Generosity by the Truckload
food drive unites sisters and community in desire to help others
With help from volunteers Carol Devine and Joanne Anderson, Sister Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster (rear) loads a pickup truck with food donations.
Sister M. Virginelle Makos (left) helps a generous donor unload food items during the June 6 collection.
Joanne Anderson (foreground) and Carol Devine organize food donations in the garage at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa.
The demand for food donations at New Bethany Ministries in Bethlehem, Pa., has ramped up significantly since so many are struggling with the financial woes and unemployment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Monocacy Farm Project (MFP) usually supplies the non-profit with fresh produce, but it’s too early in the growing season to harvest enough food to keep up with increased demand.
Therefore, MFP, St. Francis Center for Renewal and our Sisters at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem joined forces to host a socially-distanced one-day-only canned goods drive on June 6. More than 90 cars with masked drivers made their way up the tree-lined lane just off of Bridle Path Road to drop off canned goods and other nonperishable items at the garage across from the White House.
“Everyone was so generous,” says Sister Bonnie Marie Kleinschuster. “We had a great time reconnecting with old friends and welcoming new friends to Monocacy Manor.”
As our Sisters and volunteers thanked each donor, many expressed their own gratitude for being offered an opportunity to give back. Thanks to all those who pitched in to load up the trucks and deliver the haul to the food pantry at New Bethany.
The first of multiple loads of nonperishable food items is ready for delivery to New Bethany Ministries.