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. Through this ministry, St. John’s tends the needs of the people in its parish. 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

At Christmas, the parish helps distribute holiday food boxes that are given to people in need. This is a project that has many volunteers of all ages who help sort and stock the boxes going to the qualifying families. Through the Little Red Wagon tradition, the parish comes together to make Christmas happen for many families. During Advent, parishoners donate toys, etc. which are blessed during the Offertory. Due to COVID the Little Red Wagon was suspended and gift cards were donated and distributed instead. What was important was that we maintained the tradition of service as best we could during this time.