As the Thanksgiving season fast approaches, Feeding the Hungry is particularly relevant

Bella Young

Multimedia Correspondent

As part of the diocesan wide Campaign of Mercy, The Messenger has been highlighting a different work of mercy each month. The month of November is no different with the focus being on the corporal work, feeding the hungry.

Feeding the hungry is often referred to as the first corporal work of mercy because of Jesus’ mention of it in Matthew 25:35, where he names it first in the list of works of mercy. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,…”

Feeding the hungry is mentioned throughout the Bible, once again in Isaiah 58:7 where God says, “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.”

Especially relevant during the upcoming Thanksgiving season, there are many ministries within the Diocese of Covington that feed the hungry, both at the diocesan and parish level.

One of the most well know ministries is Parish Kitchen, Covington. Having just celebrated its 50-year anniversary, Parish Kitchen is a fixture of the community, serving hot meals 365 days a year, serviced by approximately 300 volunteers, and serving more than 74,000 meals a year. This ministry, operated by Catholic Charities within the Diocese of Covington, is the embodiment of the work of mercy that is feeding the hungry.

The St. Francis Food Pantry, Covington, is a ministry of the Franciscan Daughters of Mary. St. Francis Food Pantry is open from Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Neighbors may receive donated food to bring home to their families each day the Rose Garden Mission is open, no questions asked, no need to prove there is a need. Bags of food that do not need to be cooked are also available upon request.

At the parish level, feeding the hungry is often done on a more personal level. From parishioners coming together and organizing a meal train for someone who is sick, monetary donations to a food pantry or even donating boxes of stuffing to the parish for those who may not be able to purchase any. Feeding the hungry is a work of mercy that does not need specialized training, it is one that Jesus calls us to.

Feeding the hungry does not have to be a big, performative act. And there’s no reason to reinvent the wheel. It can be as simple as making a double batch of a recipe and donating the extra, it could mean volunteering at Parish Kitchen or the St. Francis Food Pantry.

To find out how to volunteer at both Parish Kitchen and the St. Francis Food Pantry and for a list of other ministries that feed the hungry, go to covdio.org/mercy.