SOCIAL ACTION
ST. CLARE’S CLOTHING STORE
ST. CLARE’S CLOTHING STORE, located on the lower level of the Community Center, is “open for business” every Wednesday morning from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Everyone is welcome to “shop” for clothing, shoes, and miscellaneous household items that have been generously donated by parishioners and friends of the parish. “Shoppers” are allowed to come once a month and help themselves to whatever clothes, etc. are needed — all free of charge. Besides clothing , shoes, and household items, the Clothing Store gratefully accepts your donation of bags — paper and plastic — and your offer to sort clothes and be available on Wednesdays to help our clients.
FOOD PANTRY
Our St. Joseph Food Pantry serves many needy families in our neighborhood. Many non-perishable foods, purchased at the Second Harvest Food Bank here in Erie, are available to our qualified clients. In addition, food is donated on a regular basis by our members, and the generosity of our parishioners allows the Food Pantry administrator to purchase perishable food for the needy, as well. The Pantry is open the second and fourth Mondays of each month, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Parishioners in need of food are most welcome.
KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY
KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY is one of the ways parishioners, directly or indirectly, can reach out to the imprisoned. Many of our parishioners have served on mission teams by going into the prisons; others have offered to pray or provide financial help; and still others are needed to write letters to the inmates, color pictures (from the kids, please), and provide cookies and food for the weekend retreats. Everyone can help in one way or another to bring Jesus to our brothers and sisters in prison.
OUTREACH BAKING
As a part of our mission to reach out to others, several of our parishioners participate on the OUTREACH BAKING TEAM. Once each month the bakers get together in the kitchen of the Community Center and bake several dozen cookies or cupcakes or other dessert to be donated to the Emmaus Soup Kitchen. Our parish is responsible to provide dessert on the same day each month. It’s our way of “feeding the hungry.”
OUTREACH TO THE ERIE COMMUNITY
Our OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY group is responsible for sponsoring several acts of charity for the needy in the Erie community each year. They encourage us, as a parish community, in such “missions” as the Annual Diaper Drive, collection of food and donations for the poor at Easter and Christmas, the Angel Tree (gifts for needy children at Christmas time), donation of warm coats, hats, mittens, and money for the Upper Room, to name just a few.