IN THE BAG!

When we had the idea to sell reusable bags to benefit Catholic Charities, I honestly had no idea if anybody would buy them.

Back in March, New York State was set to phase out plastic bags just about everywhere in the state from supermarkets to Stewart’s Shops. It was causing quite an uproar. So the plan was to offer the reusable bags that the Evangelist would buy and then sell with all the proceeds going to a great cause as well as helping the environment.

But then the pandemic hit and New York State went on PAUSE. Everyone quickly forgot about the plastic-bag ban and sheltered in place. 

But that did not deter us. We designed the bags (with a little help from my wife, Maria), and ordered them through Holden Bags. It was a modest order of 100 bags that we thought we could sell for $3 a piece with every single cent going to Catholic Charities.

A week later, the first shipment of bags arrived at my house. Not only did we not know if we could sell any, we weren’t sure how we were going to sell them. So I wrote the original story in The Evangelist about the bags hoping people would be interested.

Not long after the story was published on May 14 (“The bags are in”), the phones started ringing and the emails started pouring in. From all across the Diocese of Albany, the faithful wanted to buy these reusable bags to help Catholic Charities. The first order of 100 bags sold out, and then we ordered 200 more and then another 200. To date, The Evangelist has sold 456 bags and raised $1,495 for Catholic Charities.

I was simply amazed at the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Albany during the COVID-19 pandemic. They wanted to help and give back. If you read the great column by Robert J. Bellafiore last week, he noted that Catholic Charities’ food distribution sites have served nearly 41,000 people through July. Their services to feed the hungry are more in need than ever. In this time of such polarity in our society, I met so many genuinely good and happy people, that it ­affirmed my faith and my faith in ­humanity.

And we met them everywhere! From homes to parking lots at CVS and Price Chopper to churches. Since it would be nearly impossible to mail the bags out, we decided to do drop-offs, if people purchased five or more bags. We went to Albany, Amsterdam, Ballston Lake, Ballston Spa, Clifton Park, Cohoes, Colonie, Delmar, Glenville, Guilderland, Latham, Ravena, Schenectady, Schaghti­coke and Troy, just to name a few cities and towns. We drove in the chill of May and the humidity of July; in rain and in shine. Across rivers and counties, Thru­ways and Northways. We even mailed one bag to Connecticut.

Talking to people on the phone when they placed their orders and in person, their stories inspired me. Maria Mazza bought $100 worth of bags to honor her late mother, Louise, and gave them all to St. Luke’s Food Pantry in Schenectady. Deacon Paul Kisselback ordered $102 worth of bags (he wanted to keep one for himself) to be given directly to Catholic Charities. He said he was inspired by his mother, Mary, and his uncle, Jack. His uncle was active at Blessed Sacrament and old St. Patrick's food pantries and his mom at the old St. Teresa of Avila food pantry. He said in an email he wanted to “pay it forward on their behalf.” St. Thomas Church in Delmar, known for its Care for Creation team, ordered $300 (100 bags) worth of bags.

Everyone inspired me. And here are their names in no particular order: Arlene Grady, Florence Fitzsimmons, Barbara Burrows, Ruth Stoodley, Susan Mendelson, Judy Grimsley, Liz Condon, Cecilia Samolis, Diane Poirier, Linda Levine, Peg Magano, John Zalucki, Nancy Harder, Maureen Ferraro-Davis, Ruth Wakefield, Elsa Jimenez, Elaine Valente, Stephanie Defreet, Carmela Brooks, Barb Dunigan, Renee Kapusniak, Joan Porco, Maria Depaul, Helen Hubert, Fran Meltz, Pat Willix, Sister Betsy Van Deusen, CSJ, Alice Moore, Laura Benson, Beverly Bills, Father Jim Kane, Sue Goergen, Cecilia Malcolm, Chris Ruland, Mary Chesire, Mary Horgan and Irene Flanagan. If I have forgotten anyone, I apologize. I was truly amazed by you all and can’t wait to try something new next year. 

And don’t forget we still have 44 bags left which could raise even more money for Catholic Charities. New York State is now going to start enforcing the plastic-bag ban, so now would be a good time to stock up! If you are interested, email me at [email protected].