Gonzalez said he stepped forward to donate the monthly meal, which he also offers at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in San Bernardino on the first Tuesday of each month, in the spirit of Catholic stewardship.
“We are called to share our talent, time and treasure,” says Gonzalez, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Rancho Cucamonga who frequently caters Diocesan events. “If I’m not doing this with the talent God has given me then I’m not being Christ like.”
Last year, Gonzalez was looking for a way to give back to the community and approached the Diocese. Providentially, the Diocese was strategizing on how to support the efforts of San Bernardino parishes to feed the hungry in the city, which has record levels of poverty and unemployment.
“There is hunger in the city and many people are struggling to make ends meet,” notes Father Leonard DePasquale, I.M.C., VF, Pastor at St. Bernardine Parish.
Members of the St. Bernardine Social Concerns Committee are already active in providing weekly sack lunches to the hungry and homeless in downtown San Bernardino. Now, members have become certified food handlers so that they can help Gonzales serve the monthly meal.
“We’re giving them what they need for at least one day,” said Sylvia Guerrero, the Coordinator of the Social Concerns Committee at St. Bernardine.
Added committee member William Swanson, “we give people a place where they can have a meal and be closer to the Church.”
Gonzalez has also brought food to Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral Parish and Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in San Bernardino. He has not yet served at Our Lady of Hope Parish or St. Anthony Parish in the city but said he is open to doing so. For struggling local parishes, being able to serve a hot, catered meal would be otherwise unimaginable.
“We would never be able to afford to offer something like this,” Fr. DePasquale says. “We struggle just to do the sack lunches.”