Feed the Hungry
"Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food...." (Matthew 25:34-35)
The first of the corporal works of mercy is to feed the hungry. Below are some suggestions to consider:
- Donate to a food pantry or soup kitchen. Many parishes and communities across Maine have them. You can find a list of parish-connected ones here.
- Volunteer at your parish's food pantry or soup kitchen.
- Support Catholic Charities Hunger & Relief Services, which provides food to 28 food pantries in Aroostook, Penobscot and Washington counties.
- Participate in CRS Rice Bowl. Put loose change in your rice bowl throughout Lent to support those who are hungry around the world. Try some of the Rice Bowl program's recipes and learn about hunger around the world.
- Support the Pontifical Mission Societies, the pope's charities, which help to feed the hungry around the world.
- Learn about the problem of global hunger. Pay attention to legislation on either the state or federal level that addresses the problem of hunger and voice your support for it.
- Contribute towards or volunteer your time with your parish's or school's Thanksgiving and/or Christmas meal program.
- Cook a meal for a sick friend or a neighbor who might need a little support.
- Find out if there is a way you can support the meal program at your parish school.
- Buy local and support area farmers.
- Don't buy or cook more than you can eat so that food doesn't go to waste.
Stories of Service from our Diocese
- Caribou - Feeding the hungry during the COVID-19 pandemic - (Harvest magazine)
- Limestone - Limestone food pantry provides a needed lifeline - (Harvest magazine)
- Rockland - Serving up sustenance and smiles - (Harvest magazine)
- Rumford - Food pantry fills a community need - (Harvest magazine)
- Windham - A heart for those who are homeless - (Harvest magazine)
Scripture
"If you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday" (Isaiah 58:10).
"If a man is just...gives his food to the hungry and clothes the naked...he shall surely live" (Ezekial 18:7,16,17).
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good" (Romans 12:20,21).
Bishop Robert Deeley
"When we feed the hungry and offer nourishment to those in need, we are living the Gospel and encouraging others to do likewise. It is personal and the work of each of us. Through the Eucharist, we feed the hungry with that which satisfies the deepest hungers of the human soul, the need for love and meaning."
