By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Dozens of bags, boxes and Easter baskets brimming with nonperishable food were stacked on tables in the lobby of St. Joseph Catholic Church as well as in a storage area leading down a flight of steps.
There was enough food to feed a proverbial army. But in this case, the “army” would be families, veterans, victims of house fires, refugees, low-income senior citizens and those who lost their jobs or income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, among others.
For the ninth year, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sea Isle City and other South Jersey parishes falling under the umbrella of the Diocese of Camden are collecting food as part of the Faith-Full Food Drive to help local families and others in need.
Last year, Catholic Charities helped to feed 20,000 “food-insecure” families in South Jersey through the Diocesan food drive.
Father Perry Cherubini, pastor of St. Joseph’s in Sea Isle, said the outpouring of food donations by members of his congregation reflected the “profound generosity” of the local community.
“As pastor, I am always amazed and overwhelmed by the generosity of this parish in support of families in need,” he said in an interview after presiding over Sunday Mass.
Some members of the congregation thought that they were donating food for the people of war-torn Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. But Father Cherubini said the food would be for people living in South Jersey.
Beth Shubert, a church member and Sea Isle resident, said she still hoped that the Diocese would consider shipping some of the food to Ukraine.
“All you have to do is watch the news. It’s devastating to see what those people are going through. Watch the news and open your heart,” she said.
Shubert donated noodles, packaged potatoes, rice packets, macaroni and cheese and canned soup to the food drive.
Church members Diana Perry, of Sea Isle, and Cathy Kutzler, who lives in Jenkintown, Pa., and has a summer home in Sea Isle, both said the food donations were “the Christian thing to do.” They also hoped that their donations might make it to Ukraine.
“They are suffering. They have nothing left. But they are so strong,” Kutzler said of the Ukrainians.
During his Sunday sermon, Father Cherubini expressed hope that world leaders could find a peaceful resolution to the war. He prayed that “peace and justice” will be given to the people of Ukraine.
Mike McHale, a church member and former Sea Isle mayor, carried two bags filled with donated food into St. Joseph’s.
McHale was not surprised by the congregation’s generosity, pointing out that the church conducts food drives each month.
“I think it’s great. Our parish is very aggressive in doing that,” McHale said of the food drives.
St. Joseph parishioner Rocky Santarcangelo, who is well known in Sea Isle for portraying Santa Claus during the city’s annual Christmas parade and holiday tree lighting, said he believes the church will collect donations for Ukraine at a later date.
