With hundreds of thousands of people in the diocese potentially affected by the suspension of food stamp benefits due to the federal government shutdown, the diocese and Catholic Charities San Bernardino and Riverside Counties are working together on a food distribution program to address the crisis.
Through this collaborative effort, dubbed “Matthew’s Harvest,” 17 parishes, covering all six of the vicariates of the diocese, were to receive food boxes available to those in need during mid-November.
“These boxes will be shared with parishes across the diocese, reminding us all what it means to serve with heart,” said Tim Ney, CEO of Catholic Charities San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
The first phase of the local Catholic response called for the distribution of 1,000 food boxes, about 58 boxes to each of the following 17 parishes.
- San Bernardino Vicariate: San Salvador Parish, Colton; Our Lady of Hope Parish, San Bernardino; St. Bernardine Parish, San Bernardino.
- Riverside Vicariate: Corpus Christi Parish, Corona; St. Edward Parish, Corona; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Riverside.
- Hemet Vicariate: St. Anthony Parish, San Jacinto; Holy Spirit Parish, Hemet; St. James Parish, Perris.
- Low Desert Vicariate: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, Desert Hot Springs; St. Louis Parish, Cathedral City; San Juan Diego Mission, Northshore.
- High Desert Vicariate: Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, Adelanto; Holy Innocents Parish, Victorville; St. Joseph Parish, Barstow.
- West End Vicariate: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Montclair; St. George Parish, Fontana.
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps to feed more than 800,000 people in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, has been jeopardized by the federal government shutdown. Court rulings have forced some continued funding of SNAP but uncertainty over the potential duration of the shutdown and accompanying political acrimony have put many local families in fear of going hungry.
There are 62 parish food pantries in the diocese, and many are reporting an increase in the number of people requesting food assistance since the shutdown, says Teresa Rocha, Director of Community Services and Outreach Programs for the diocese. The response from the Catholic community should be clear, she said.
“We are called to be on the side of the poor, as Jesus is,” Rocha said. “There shouldn’t be a question. They are hungry and we should do whatever we can to help them.”
Ney said the food boxes were funded through the generous contributions of Catholic Charities donors. The boxes, which contain four meals for a family of four, were assembled at Catholic Charities Riverside office beginning Nov. 7. The Knights of Columbus led efforts to deliver the boxes to participating parishes.
Following the first phase of distribution, and an assessment of the response and continuing need in participating parishes, an additional 1,000 boxes would be provided through the “Matthew’s Harvest” initiative.