FaithFULL Food Drive 2023 | Diocese of Camden
This year, the Diocese of Camden is hosting its 10th Annual FaithFULL Food Drive during the Lenten Season. Read on to learn more about how parishes, schools, and even the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress will be gathering food for our neighbors facing hunger in South Jersey.
About FaithFULL Food Drive 2023 for Parishes | March 25 – 26
For parishes in the Diocese of Camden, the 10th annual FaithFULL Food Drive 2023 will be taking place on March 25 – 26, 2023. There will be a specified donation location on parish grounds for food items.
During this Lenten season, the Diocese of Camden is encouraging parishioners to begin gathering food for our brothers and sisters experiencing food insecurity in South Jersey. This is a wonderful opportunity to put our faith into action by contributing to our parish food ministries and the food pantries of South Jersey operated by Catholic Charities.
Parishioners are encouraged to bring donated items to Mass the weekend of March 25 – 26. Parishes have the choice to keep donated items for their own local ministries or donate food items to Catholic Charities of South Jersey by calling to arrange an individual pick-up or drop-off appointment. Information for arranging pick-ups and drop-offs are being provided in a digital packet directly to those coordinating the food drive at their parishes. If you have not received your packet or have further questions, please contact Rose Porcellini at Catholic Charities by email at rose.porcellini@camdendiocese.org or by phone at (856) 342-4104.
About FaithFULL Food Drive 2023 for Schools | March 20 – 24
This year, the 10th annual FaithFULL Food Drive 2023 will be held as a competition among schools across the Diocese of Camden from March 20 – 24. The schools who donate the most goods in their region will receive either a dress down day or homework passes, if not another award decided by winning schools.
During this Lenten season, the Diocese of Camden hopes to inspire students to consider their local brothers and sisters experiencing food insecurity in South Jersey. Across New Jersey, 657,320 people are facing hunger, and of them 175,830 are children. This is an incredible learning opportunity for students to understand the impact they can have in their communities when they put their faith into action.
Information for arranging the competition are being provided directly to point persons coordinating the food drive at their respective schools throughout the Diocese of Camden. If you have not received your packet or have further questions, please contact Mike Bress by email at michael.bress@camdendiocese.org or by phone at (856) 583-6107.
About FaithFULL Food Drive 2023 for Diocesan Eucharistic Congress | March 25
The Diocesan Eucharistic Congress being held on March 25, 2023 at Freedom Mortgage Waterfront Pavilion in Camden will be collecting donated food items at point of entries for this year’s FaithFULL Food Drive. This is an opportunity for those celebrating in the Eucharist to also share in their faith by providing our brothers and sisters in need.
Donations Needed for FaithFULL Food Drive 2023 in South Jersey
It’s requested that parishioners donate non expired food only. Please aim for healthy ‘no salt added,’ ‘low-sodium,’ and whole grain options. Below please find the most needed items for those experiencing food insecurity.
- Canned Beans
- Dried Pasta and Rice
- Canned Spaghetti Sauce
- Cooking Oils and Vinegars
- Canned Fruit and Fruit Cups
- Nutritious Snacks (Nuts, Granola Bars)
- Dried Mashed Potato and Stuffing Mixes
- Canned and Hearty Soups
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
Frequently Asked Questions About FaithFULL Food Drive 2023
Are volunteers needed for the FaithFULL Food Drive?
Yes, volunteers are welcome to assist in a variety of ways during and after the food drive at their local parishes. Volunteers can help promote the food drive during the Lenten season. Volunteers can help on the collection days with gathering, boxing, weighing, moving, and storing of the food. After the food drive, volunteers can help transport food to respective locations.
Who does FaithFULL Food Drive support?
Catholic Charities of South Jersey in partnership with the Diocese of Camden are the facilitators of FaithFULL Food Drive, but donations are provided to the community through local ministries, local food pantries, and food pantries of South Jersey operated by Catholic Charities. Across New Jersey, 657,320 people are facing hunger, and of them 175,830 are children. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, over 155,000 people within the counties of our diocese are those experiencing food insecurity.
Why is FaithFULL Food Drive important?
In the months after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year, food pantry shelves are thinly stocked, while the need remains high. In South Jersey, 1 in 6 people are food insecure. Counting just children, that number jumps to 1 in 5. While so many ministries are collecting food year-round, think of the impact we can have when we all work together! FaithFULL Food Drive is a unique service because we do it together across 6 counties and 62 parishes. It is enriching for our diocesan community to partake and reflect on this service as a team during the holy season of Lent, and in the wake of the pandemic as many face additional challenges, it is particularly important.
Where can I go if I have other questions?
Contact Rose Porcellini at Catholic Charities by email at rose.porcellini@camdendiocese.org or by phone at (856) 342-4104.
