Down in the Southeastern reaches of the arm of Catholic
Charities of Buffalo, rests a small food pantry staffed with nine tremendous
volunteers fulfilling God's work of feeding the hungry. Our ministry, assisted
mainly by volunteers from the Catholic community of Wellsville, is being both
supported by and supportive of all who come to us. And over the past month we
have seen an increased demand with more of our neighbors in need as the
coronavirus pandemic continues. In recent weeks, we’ve assisted more than 200
individuals and families alone and we are seeing more show up at our doors
every day.
Each day that the food pantry is open, there are shared
feelings of concern, of laughter, of joy, and especially of comfort in knowing
that we made a difference in the lives of all we served that day. An elderly
couple visited our site last week and as I was setting bags full of food items
on the table outside for them, the husband says to me, “I see the face of Jesus
in you.” I smiled and gave a wave while turning to go back inside to help work
on the food for the next family. It didn't really sink in what the gentleman
had said to me until later. I thought about it and realized how lucky I am to
be able to do God's work, especially during this unprecedented time, on a
little street corner in Wellsville, NY.
Thank you to our supporters who help ensure that our food
pantry continues to provide the much-needed hunger relief here in Wellsville
and Allegany County. While we are currently unable to accept individual
donations at the pantry, if you can help those in need, please visit
ccwny.org/donation for more information.
Jim Campbell, Outreach Specialist
Joyce Family Food Pantry & Outreach, Wellsville
