'FOR THOSE IN NEED'

There was an unseasonable chill in the air as Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger arrived at the Pastoral Center in Albany on Monday, May 11.

Bishop Scharfenberger was dressed in all black - with a long black trench coat to ward off the weather - except for the white mask that covered his face. The Bishop was there to say a blessing as the staff of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany and volunteers were preparing for a mass food distribution event. 

“Look upon us today as we seek to give basic sustenance to those who are most in need at this point. We ask your blessing upon each and every one of us in our own lives for our health and happiness and well-being,” prayed Bishop, surrounded by staff and volunteers all wearing masks and practicing social distancing, “and that we may always be a people of hope that recognize that you never abandon us. Help us to be your eyes, your ears, your hands and your feet to all of those to whom you send us. May our hearts be open with generous love and service to all that call upon us in this time of need. 

“We ask your blessings upon them and their families and all those whose lives they touch that they may know your healing presence now and always in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.”

The Bishop’s presence and blessing was an uplifting experience as another week began with Catholic Charities' mobile unit (CC MOVE) and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York partnering to feed a community in dire need during this time of COVID-19.

Swarms of volunteers unloaded pallets stacked with boxes containing chicken, eggs, tortillas, yogurt, water and watermelons before clients arrived. Winding throughout the parking lot, many people arrived by a car, having food loaded in their trunks by volunteers. A second pick-up destination on the opposite side of the parking lot was designated for walk-ins. 

Paul DeMarco, who originally heard about the food drive through his mother, said this was his first time coming since losing his job. 

“What else can you do? I’m out walking the supermarkets; I don’t have that kind of money on me. I can't,” DeMarco said, “You know the utility bills are coming, don’t turn the oven on and stuff like that, so this is really cool.” 

The food program has seen a drastic increase in clients. In the entire 2019 calendar year, Catholic Charities served 5,366 people total, while this year from March 27-May 5, clients skyrocketed to 11,311. In that time, a whopping 96 tons of food went to 3,914 households. On Monday, Catholic Charities estimated it served 650 households.

“The increase can be attributed to a variety of factors. Obviously, we are seeing an increased need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Eileen Spath, marketing and communications director of Catholic Charities in the Albany Diocese, said. “As a result, we've increased the frequency of our food drops from once a month, to five in April and four in May, and at each distribution we're seeing more than twice our previous turnout.”

This is the third of five distributions CC MOVE is coordinating this month and June. The other food drops are: Tuesday, May 19, Our Lady of Hope; 119 Reid St., Fort Plain; Thursday, May 28, Veterans Field; Locust Avenue, Amsterdam; and Tuesday, June 2, 143 E Main St., Amsterdam.