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Outreach Program at Holy Angels, Buffalo, NY

Fr. Jim Erving, OMI, the associate pastor at Holy Angels, has launched a food distribution program for the needy working poor on the West Side of Buffalo.

A pilot program got underway with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and will become a monthly feature of ministry here.  Some 40 parishioners of all stripes have teamed with the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society to facilitate this outreach project.  To date, upwards of 130 families have been identified and are participating in the program.

The food is donated through the auspices of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy on Buffalo’s East Side – Holy Angels being designated as the corresponding Catholic entity for the food distribution on the West Side.  Families pick-up their ample food supplies inside the historic (154 year old) Holy Angels church building, linking this activity to the parish’s sacramental life of faith. 

Each parcel of the November distribution included a flyer inviting the recipients to a December 12^th Healing Mass to be celebrated here by Fr. Richard McAlear, OMI.  A prayer card featuring the Oblate Madonna was also included as a blessing to bring home.

Article and photos courtesy of Fr. Gene Tremblay, OMI

Fr. Jim Erving does necessary paper work.

Getting the food packets ready.