CHARLOTTE — St. Matthew Parish’s 24th annual Monsignor McSweeney World Hunger Drive invites people to reach out to help impoverished people worldwide – including a church in Venezuela nearly destroyed by twin earthquakes last month.
This year’s campaign will send financial aid to San Francisco de Asís Parish in Naiguatá, which has ties to the Charlotte parish, as well as aid to communities in Haiti, India and Puerto Rico.
“Nobody is fully prepared for a disaster of this magnitude, especially not Venezuela during this period of political transition. But we as the World Hunger Drive evolve through experience to respond quickly in emergency situations,” said St. Matthew parishioner Bruce Anderson, who is coordinating assistance in Venezuela. (Editor’s note: Read more on page 14.)
This year’s goal is to raise more than $400,000 and pack 300,000 meals for the destitute in Haiti, India and Puerto Rico. Additionally, approximately 10% of funds support local needs in the diocese.
“This is an opportunity for us to put the Gospel into action for those on the margins,” said Father Patrick Cahill, St. Matthew’s pastor.
The World Hunger Drive is a multi-week effort: An initial donation drive kicked off July 11. A “Hoops for Hunger” three-on-three basketball tournament is set for Aug. 1, and one of the nation’s largest meal-packing events will take place Aug. 15.
This year, organizer Pat McBride notes, “Our newest area of focus is Puerto Rico, where poverty remains a significant challenge. Approximately 43% of residents and 80% of children live below the poverty line, highlighting the urgent need for continued support.”
‘This is an opportunity for us to put the Gospel into action.’
Father Patrick Cahill, Pastor of St. Matthew Parish
Container shipments have become an expensive impossibility in some countries due to the political climate, excessive duties and gang activity. In response, organizers are sending funds to Venezuela, Haiti and India, while shipping food to Puerto Rico.
Inspiration to launch the World Hunger Food Drive came from St. Matthew’s former pastor, Monsignor John McSweeney, whose words still hang in the memory of parishioners like Anderson and McBride.
“Monsignor McSweeney, in one Sunday homily, said, ‘I have to report to you folks that we are well aware we have a serious illness, it’s contagious and rapidly spreading through our community – it’s called affluenza. We are affluent, and we are not sharing,’” Anderson remembered. “His words really set the tone.”
Over the past 23 years, St. Matthew parishioners have provided more than 4.7 million pounds of food and millions of dollars to local and global relief.
— Lisa M. Geraci
More online
At www.stmatthewcatholic.org/worldhungerdrive: Register and learn more