Members of the Catholic Daughters of St. Joseph Church in Sea Isle City hold some of the Easter gift baskets that were donated to the community. (Photo courtesy of Sea Isle City)
The Catholic Daughters Court Our Lady of Mercy #1655, of St. Joseph Church in Sea Isle City, hosted their sixth annual Easter Basket Drive to spread the holiday spirit to people in need and local homebound residents.
More than 120 Easter baskets were filled with candy, toys, snacks and other items. They were donated by fellow parishioners and Catholic Daughters members.
Students from the parish’s religious education program helped assemble the baskets and wrapped them in cellophane with a colorful ribbon and handwritten cheerful note.
Members delivered the overflowing baskets to the Branches Outreach Center in Rio Grande, an organization that provides food, personal care and other compassionate support to those in need.
Baskets were also sent to the Holy Redeemer Food Bank and Mobile Pantry of Ocean View, which helps local families in the community who face food insecurity. They were also donated to Covenant House in Atlantic City, an organization that helps young people facing homelessness.
Additional baskets were delivered to homebound members of the local community.
The local drive initially began during the COVID pandemic as a way to spread something positive to those experiencing difficult times. The Catholic Daughters have kept the annual effort going, which is especially important this year due to an increase in the number of homebound residents in the local community, according to a news release.
“This effort has a tremendous impact, and our volunteers are happy to donate their time. Alms giving is about being merciful, and the Catholic Daughters serve as the hands and feet of Jesus,” said Bette Keller, the organizer of the event.
For more information about the Catholic Daughters Court Our Lady of Mercy #1655, go to https://www.stjosephsic.org/ or call the St. Joseph parish office at 609-263-8696.
