The Second Collection

Every month, we work with one local food pantry, and collect non-perishable food items and money for their ministry. On a rotating basis, we work with HOPE at Church of the Ascension (Lexington Park); St. Mary's Helping Hands (Hollywood); St. Mary's Caring (Great Mills); and First Saints Community Church (formerly St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Leonardtown). We collect the food items and money, then drop it off to them near the end of the month.

Parishioners drop off the food either in the parish hall or the big basket under the entryway table in the church. Also, at 10:30, someone from the congregation walks around with a basket and collects whatever people have to offer.

It's quite a car-full of food, and St. George's averages approximately $100 in loose change donations every month. The money is helpful in that it enables the food pantry to purchase some perishable items such as milk, eggs, and other necessities.

We communicate with the food pantry and ask them what they need, in particular. St. George's then publishes that "needs list" in the weekly bulletin, as different food pantries find, at certain times in the year, that they need specific items.