Providing help and creating hope in Maine
Our Lady of the Snows’ Kitchen Ministry Receives Matthew 25 Award
Dexter, ME – Catholic Charities’ Parish Social Ministry program presented its annual Matthew 25 Award on Sunday to Our Lady of the Snows’ kitchen ministry: Our Lady’s Kitchen.
The award includes a $5,000 grant which the food ministry will use to cover the cost of a new stove exhaust system necessary to keep the kitchen operational. Our Lady’s Kitchen serves a full-course, hot meal every Sunday and provides emergency food assistance for those who struggle during the week. The ministry serves approximately 4,000 adults and children every year regardless of faith affiliation.
With no paid staff, Our Lady’s Kitchen operates through the support of volunteers ages 12 to 85 who donate more than 3,800 hours a year toward feeding the hungry.
“Our Lady’s Kitchen embodies what Matthew 25 is all about, serving those in need in a genuinely caring and compassionate manner,” said Michael Smith, Director of Mission and Catholic Charities Maine who presented the Award.
Designed to support parishes in their efforts to serve vulnerable people in need, regardless of their faith affiliation, Matthew 25 grants help parishes expand the capacity to serve more people within a current direct service ministry or to help develop a new social ministry. Parishes across the state of Maine are invited to apply annually for the grant awards.
Photo caption (L to R): Michael Smith, Director of Mission at Catholic Charities Maine with 2018 Matthew 25 award recipient Kathie Lombard who serves on the leadership team for Our Lady's Kitchen at Our Lady of the Snows Parish. They are joined by Ed French, Catholic Charities’ PSM Outreach Specialist for the greater Bangor area.
Since 1966, Catholic Charities has provided high-quality, community-based, social services to people of all faiths, beliefs, and economic backgrounds. As one of the largest human service agencies in the state, we are committed to helping children and adults overcome adversity and achieve self-sufficiency. To learn more, please visit www.ccmaine.org or call 1-800-781-8550.
# # #
© 2024 Catholic Charities Maine
