Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton received a $10,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it is using to fund upgrades to the St. Joseph's Food Pantry.
Catholic Social Services has installed a new commercial refrigerator and a new commercial freezer and acquired a utility cart to improve food handling and distribution. Remaining funds will be used to purchase food for the pantry.
The St. Joseph's Food Pantry provides essential food assistance to families and individuals living at or below the poverty level or experiencing sudden financial emergencies. The pantry currently serves an average of 500 families each month, including single-parent families, senior citizens on fixed incomes, and individuals facing sudden crises such as job loss or unexpected medical bills.
The new refrigerator and freezer allow the pantry to expand the variety of healthy foods it offers and ensure the safe storage of perishable food items. The utility cart will improve workflow and reduce the risk of injury for the two part-time staff members and seven committed volunteers who work at the pantry.
Catholic Social Services' mission with the St. Joseph's Food Pantry is to serve individuals and families in hardship by responding compassionately to their needs, advocating for individual dignity and self-sufficiency, and replacing despair with hope, all rooted in the Gospel and Christ's call to serve. One of the ways they do this is by allowing clients to self-select items that meet their families' dietary needs while promoting dignity and stability of households struggling to afford basic necessities.
Catholic Social Services, which has served the Hazleton region for more than 80 years, also operates a shelter and provides transitional housing and emergency assistance.
Catholic Social Services Director Danielle Matarella said, “Working with First Federal Charitable Foundation was such a positive experience. The support from the Foundation makes a meaningful impact on our work and our community. Because of their generosity, we were able to purchase a freezer, refrigerator, and a utility cart along with food for St. Joseph’s Food Pantry. We could not do what we do without this support.”
First Federal Charitable Foundation Executive Director Megan Kennedy said, “We are very proud of the important work Catholic Social Services provides to those in need and are very happy to support the staff and volunteers who are there day after day making a difference.”
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area, and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.
For more information on the foundation or to obtain a grant application, visit www.1stfederalcharitable.org or email
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CAPTION: Catholic Social Services Director Danielle Matarella, right, and Lee Ann Lewiski, St. Joseph’s Food Pantry Supervisor, display the new commercial refrigerator that was purchased through a grant from the First Federal Charitable Foundation. At far right is the new commercial freezer that was also acquired.