The outreach building houses the St. John’s  Food Pantry as well as transitional refugee housing.

St. John’s Outreach located at the Sr. Mary Theresa Outreach Building is an active ministry tended by The Daughters of Charity and volunteers and is now called The Bakita Community. Through this ministry, St. John’s  tends the needs of the people in its parish who may be struggling with financial stability as well as working with The Center and the Refugee community. Here are just a few ways that St. John’s is making a difference.

Food Pantry

Open three days a week for 1-2 hours each day, St. John’s serves 180 households or an average of 600 people every month.  Many are monthly visitors so keeping the shelves stocked and organizing inventory is an important aspect of this ministry, it also is where volunteers can help. Between the Utica Food Bank, the generosity of our people and grants from area organizations, the Food Pantry can fulfill the call to “feed my people.”

Seasonal Giving

Due to COVID the long-standing Little Red Wagon effort was suspended and was replaced by giving gift cards to families in need. Through cash and card donations from parishioners and beyond, St. John's made a difference in the lives of 300 families  (including 700 children).