Feed the Hungry: There are many people in this world who go without food. When so much of our food goes to waste, consider how good stewardship practices of your own food habits can benefit others who do not have those same resources.

• Keep granola bars in your car to pass out to people in need at stoplights.
• Pick up leftovers at a local grocery store, bakery, or restaurant and deliver them to a food bank or homeless shelter.
• The next time you make a recipe that can be easily frozen, make a double batch and deliver to someone in your community who is seriously ill, homebound or welcoming home a newborn.
• Help out at a Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast and/or donate to our SVdP food pantry.

Give Drink to the Thirsty: Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ do not have access to clean water and suffer from the lack of this basic necessity. We should support the efforts of those working towards greater accessibility of this essential resource.

• We take it for granted that we have access to clean water. Donate water to help families in Flint.
• Pass out water bottles to the homeless; Organize a group of children involved on a sports team (e.g. soccer) or a summer camp. Invite them to collect bottled water to distribute at a shelter for families. Do the same for youth and young adult groups.
• Donate baby formula to a local pregnancy help center.

Shelter the Homeless: There are many circumstances that could lead to someone becoming a person without a home. Christ encourages us to go out and meet those without homes, affirming their worth and helping them seek a resolution to the challenges they face.

• Help neighbors care for their home and assist in repairs.
• See if your diocese is involved with a local homeless shelter and volunteer some time. http://www.aod.org/
• Donate time or money to organizations that build homes for those who need shelter (i.e.: Habitat for Humanity)
• Many homeless shelters need warm blankets for their beds. If you can knit or sew that would be an extra loving gift.

Visit the Sick: Those who are sick are often forgotten or avoided. In spite of their illness, these individuals still have much to offer to those who take the time to visit and comfort them.

• Volunteer to call Bingo at a nursing home and/or send a homemade card to someone who is sick.
• Take time on a Saturday to stop and visit with an elderly neighbor, shovel their snow or take the Eucharist to the homebound.
• Assist those who are full-time caregivers for family members; Give them a day off so they can rest.

Visit the Imprisoned : People in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God. No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to hear the Word of God and find the Truth of the message of Christ.

• Mentor a teen at a juvenile correction center.
• Donate bibles and/or spiritual reading material to a prison and pray for the families of inmates.
• Help someone who is “imprisoned” by a disability, handicap or addiction. Be a friend to them.

Bury the Dead : Funerals give us the opportunity to grieve and show others support during difficult times. Through our prayers and actions during these times we show our respect for life, which is always a gift from God, and comfort to those who mourn.

• Send a homemade card to someone who has recently lost a loved one.
• Take friends and relatives to visit the cemetery and pray for those you have lost.
• Supply a dish for a funeral luncheon and/or be faithful about attending wakes/visitation.

Minister to the Poor: Donate money to organizations that have the ability to provide support and services for those in need. Do research and find organizations that put people in need first, rather than profit.

• Skip the morning latte and put that money in the St. Vincent de Paul can by the cry room.
• Find a charity that is meaningful to you and volunteer your time or throw your change into a jar and periodically donate to those in need.

• Go through your closet and give away what you don’t need. Drop your items off at the SVdP drop box in St. Clare’s parking lot.
• Buy socks and underwear for people in homeless shelters.