CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte’s Respect Life Program and the Respect Life Committee at St. Gabriel Parish in Charlotte hosted an educational forum Nov. 17 on human trafficking and luring in social media.
A panel of experts explained the breadth of the problem in the Charlotte region and answered questions from the audience. Pictured are panelists Joy Anderson, a rescued trafficking victim; Dr. Matt Phillips, a professor at UNC-Charlotte; and Maria Kuylen of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security fielding questions.
— Photo provided by Jessica Grabowski
HUNTERSVILLE — Parishioners at St. Mark Church organized their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive last week, donating enough food to fill a paper bag with groceries to feed a family a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
This year the parish collected well over 1,500 bags of food, distributing filled bags to more than 300 families.
Additional food was given to Our Lady of the Assumption Church’s food pantry in Charlotte, and $25 gift cards were also collected to give to families so that they may buy fresh meat and produce. Volunteers were needed for several weeks to collect, sort and then distribute the food in this parish-wide event.
Also pictured: Preschool classes collected soup broth to donate to the Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen in Huntersville. Each child brought in a can of broth and then they ran their annual Turkey Trot on the grounds of the church.
— Photos provided by Amy Burger
