CHARLOTTE — Parishioners at St. Matthew Church rallied in July for the annual Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive, which provides support to communities in need with food, essential supplies, sustainability projects, healthcare and education.
This year volunteers shipped 11 containers of supplies – three more than last year – totaling 418,000 pounds. The parish meal packing event, along with the St. Matthew School and Y-Guides meal packing events, provided nearly 400,000 meals that are being shipped to Haiti and Jamaica. Funds raised are being sent to St. Mark School in Haiti to support nearly 50 students with a year’s education, healthcare, books and food.
The campaign is also funding sustainability items such as tilapia ponds, chickens and agriculture. In addition, the parish collected $6,000 and 6,000 pounds of food to contribute to local food pantries. New this year, funds are also being sent to the Diocese de La Guairá, Venezuela, to support orphans.
— Photo provided by Ed Craig