Dear St. Mark family,

I hope this finds you and your families healthy and coping well in this strange and depressing environment. During these unprecedented times many of you are struggling in every imaginable way. But in spite of that you have been very supportive of our parish by mailing in your donations or by giving online. I greatly appreciate your love for the church. In this letter I am requesting your support for our bigger community. This is something which might lift your spirits up a bit. As our nation has practically shut down for over a month there are a number of people in our greater Bridgeport community who are suffering from food shortages as never before. Once fully-functioning families, suddenly without any income, cannot afford to pay their most necessary bills as well as buy the food they need. Therefore, the various local food banks are experiencing major shortages all over the country and in our area as well. 

Fr. Bert Pinciaro, Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Church, just announced that they will be holding a food collection drive on May 9th from 9 to 1:30, I believe, to be shared with Sterling House’s food pantry. Parishioners from all churches (he is advertising to all churches in our Clergy Association) would pull up their cars at Holy Name without getting out; his volunteers would take them out of the trunks of their cars and place them in other trucks/vans from Sterling House waiting to go back and deliver them there. 

In consultation with Deacon Paul, I have decided to have a similar food drive at St. Mark’s next Saturday, May 2nd from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Food donations may be dropped off at the PARISH CENTER ENTRANCE where there will be some members of Knights of Columbus to receive food items from you and deliver them at Sterling House and Blessed Sacrament parish. To make it convenient for you, please put food donations in bags and place them in your car trunk, drive up to the drop off place, open your trunk and our volunteers will collect them and take them to respective places. You food donation is going to the same food pantries so you can donate your food in either places. 

Following is a list of food items needed most in our pantries: 

• Peanut butter and jellies
• Canned tuna of all kinds
• Both hot and cold cereals
• Rice, pasta and noodles (various kinds)
• Spaghetti sauce, both plain and with meat
• Soups, but especially hearty soups
• Canned beans of various kinds
• Powdered milk in individual packets 
• Breakfast treats
• Coffee and tea
• Apple sauce
• Hamburger helper
• Canned chili
• Sandwich products
• Canned fruit

St. Mark always has been a very generous parish and I am sure in this time of dire need you will respond this request kind-heartedly and come to the aid of our poor neighbors. Thank you.

May God continue to bless you and keep you safe!

Yours in the Lord,

Fr. Birendra