A community working together for a great cause
Peru JCEO Food Shelf Outreach Worker Samantha Barton, Bob Herforth, Peru Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald, Bob Manchester
L-R Bob Manchester and Bob Herforth inventorying the food and health supplies.
By John T. Ryan
Peru – For the past several years Peru Knights of Columbus Council 7273 has conducted a Lenten food drive at St. Augustine’s Church with a goal of collecting 1,000 pounds for the Peru JCEO Food Shelf by Easter Sunday. When Governor Cuomo issued the COVID-19 ‘PAUSE’ Order on March 17th and public masses were suspended, the knights questioned if their goal was attainable. They still needed 600 pounds of food.
They didn’t have to worry. Parishioners and many other Peru residents responded to a call for help and last Friday the 1,000 pounds goal was exceeded and a campaign to collect 1,000 more pounds has begun. Each time the council collects 1,000 pounds, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council sends the Peru Council a check for $100 which the Peru Council donates to the Food Shelf.
Food Drive Co-chairmen Knights Bob Manchester and Bob Herforth presented the $100 to JCEO Outreach Worker Samantha Barton. They also presented an extra $500 check on behalf of the Peru Council.
Manchester and Herforth expressed thanks to St. Augustine’s parishioners, the Peru community, and especially to Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald who publicized the need and picked up food and monetary donations at people’s homes. Brandy went above and beyond the call of duty.
The Knights ask everyone to please keep the food plus health and household supplies coming. Oftentimes health items are in short supply at the food shelf i.e. toothpaste, diapers, sanitary napkins, paper towels, dish detergent, toilet paper, etc. Place donations in or near the baskets inside St. Augustine’s Church entrance/narthex. Donations will be secured daily and delivered to the Peru Food Shelf each week.
Posted: April 27th, 2020 under Community Events, Faces of Peru, Northern NY News, Peru News.