Several folks have written and asked how they might help the victims of Superstorm Sandy in New York. I’m pleased to say that I’ve arranged for a way to feed the victims with EVERY PENNY going directly to the purchase of food, with NO administrative costs, whatsoever.
Saint Theresa’s Church on Staten Island has a food pantry run by a terrific religious sister, Sister Margaret Mary. I spoke with her today and the situation is dire. I’ve been to the affected areas repeatedly. No gas, electric, heat, hot water, telephone. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, et al. have been nowhere in sight.
Gas lines are a several hour ordeal.
Many supermarkets still have no power and can’t sell retail.
In short, it’s like a third world country. In similarly affected areas of Queens, New York, it has descended into anarchy. It’s a disgrace, but that’s a topic for later analysis. Right now we have fellow Americans in extreme distress.
Sister Margaret Mary can get institutional commodity suppliers to do direct deliveries as needed, and every donation made is as appreciated as it is critical. Here’s how you can help. Just send your check (which is tax-deductable) made out to: St. Theresa’s Food Pantry.
Address your envelope to:
St. Theresa’s Food Pantry
Sandy Relief
c/o Sr. Margaret Mary
1634 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island, New York 10314
When you send your donation, just mention how you heard about the fund so I can get a sense of how wide a net we cast. Perhaps people’s parishes or prayer groups could adopt the food pantry.
If anyone can copy this to their own blog or Facebook account, I would be personally very grateful. When I began this blog, I made a vow that I would never seek a single red penny for myself, and as of next month when Coming Home turns three, I am proud to say that I have honored that vow. I only ask (and rarely, at that) for support for others.
This is as pro-life as it gets, folks. The cold weather is setting in now, and we have a Nor’easter on the way for next week. If you want a solid and reliable guarantee that your money will make a difference, Sister Margaret Mary and her Food Pantry are the real deal. Here’s the link to the food pantry at St. Theresa.
God Bless you all for your loving generosity!!
Update 11/4/12: Many are asking in emails if there is a paypal account. I’ll talk with Sister Margaret Mary about this, but please don’t hesitate to send a check. The devastation is so extensive, so deep and severe that the acute needs will last past Thanksgiving. The chronic needs will last well into the New Year. We need to feed multitudes for months to come. Many of these areas were impoverished to begin with, with frightful unemployment rates that were well above the national average. Snail mail will get the money here in plenty of time to do a world of good. God Bless!
Coming Home 
[…] UPDATE 11/3/12: I’ve set up a mechanism for donations to a parish food pantry near the affected areas on Staten Island, where EVERY PENNY donated (Tax-deductable!) will be used by Sr. Margaret Mary to purchase food for the victims. Click here to get the details. […]
Shared on Twitter and Facebook. Gerry. I knew you’d step out in leadership on this! You are putting the mayor and president to shame with no money and little time. Ad Jesum per Mariam,
Leticia Velasquez Co-founder ofKIDS (Keep Infants with Down Syndrome) author of “A Special Mother is Born”.
>________________________________ > From: Coming Home >To: marysjoys@yahoo.com >Sent: Saturday, November 3, 2012 3:50 PM >Subject: [New post] Sharing Bread: Helping Sandy’s Victims in New York > > > WordPress.com >Gerard M. Nadal posted: ” Several folks have written and asked how they might help the victims of Superstorm Sandy in New York. I’m pleased to say that I’ve arranged for a way to feed the victims with EVERY PENNY going directly to the purchase of food, with NO administrative c” >
thank you Gerry for your quick action on this = check going out. Phil is going to mention it in his homily tomorrow/
Viva Cristo Rey!
Deacon Phil and Linda Hayes
God love you both!! The help is so badly needed. I’m also coordinating the Boy Scouts in getting food donations. With lots of help and prayers, we’ll get there!
passed it along on Facebook and watching it spread! God bless you for all you do!
Thanks for letting us know how to help. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the terrible storm. I’m glad to hear that you and your family are safe. God bless.
Janet
Hey there Dirtdartwife! It’s been some time. How have you been?
Gerry, I have been sending your email to all I know. Someone asked about sending a donation via snail mail. Would the donation get there in time? Is there a better or faster way? Can it be done online? Credit card?
Viva Cristo Rey!
Linda Hayes
Gerry, I posted this on my FB and on the Holy Apostles FB – here’s praying for some help!
Thanks, Heather!! God Bless!!
A Paypal account would get money there quicker. Is there anything in the works for that or something similar?
phlogiston,
I’m looking into paypal. However, I assure you that the devastation is so severe, so extensive, that the acute phase of this won’t subside until after Thanksgiving, and the chronic need will last well into the New Year. God Bless.
The reports we are getting up in Canada are that things are returning to normal. Didn’t know that it was so bad down there. We will pray. God Bless!
It’s on my Facebook page, I Tweeted it, and I am also emailing friends with your blog link. Thank you for this opportunity to give alms…it’s not just for Lent! Pax Christi.
Hey Gerard
I was down there with my son and DIL yesterday. I meant to bring your number but I ended up forgetting it. Are those the same sisters who were down at the church in the middle of it all yesterday (st Marys?) I know they need cleaning stuff…it was so heartbreaking. Going to try to get down there again during the week. I have an idea I want to run past you..give me a call when you get a chance.
Gerry,
A donation is in the mail. I also posted this on my FB page.
Thank you for letting us know.
God Bless,
Sister Marcella
[…] « Sharing Bread: Helping Sandy’s Victims in New York […]
I’m sending a check.
Shared on Facebook. Thank you, Gerard.
Thank you, Dr. G, for passing on this info. I just told a friend a few hours ago how much I wanted to help in some directly beneficial way, and voila’ – our Lord provides!!! I shared this on my FB page w/ an impassioned plea for others to join in, and will make sure a check is in tomorrow’s mail. Thanks and blessings to you for being a voice for those in need… 🙂
Your friend in Christ our Lord,
Stephen Whiting
Stephen, Moxie, Lena, All…
I’m humbled by the outpouring of love!! These are good people, many are fellow parishioners and brothers in the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. The need is so great, and being there so overwhelming. Blessings on you all.