Hunger and Poverty Outreach

Hunger and Poverty Outreach

In a parable, Christ told his followers to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and help all who need it because in the last day, he will say to them, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

At Hunger and Poverty Outreach, we strive to bring this command to Providence College students by providing ample opportunities to serve those who need it most in the Providence community and beyond.

Below are some of the outreach opportunities regularly available.

My Brother’s Keeper

My Brother’s Keeper is a Christian ministry started in 1988 by a husband and wife in Taunton, Massachusetts. Seeing the number of families in need and the lack of organizations to care for them, they began collecting furniture donations in their basement and delivering them by truck to those who need it most. Since then, they’ve opened two locations in Massachusetts to deliver furniture and food to thousands of families a year.

Their mission is “To bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve,” and they seek to develop meaningful connections with the people they serve, providing spiritually as well as materially.

Volunteers meet outside the public safety building and ride together, typically returning before 6 pm. Find available times on Helper Helper.

Saint Vincent de Paul

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was started in 1833 by four French college students who wanted a better way to live out their Catholic faith and serve the community around them. The students created a lay organization in hopes to increase members’ holiness through service of the poor. Today, there are more than 800,000 members of the Saint Vincent de Paul mission across over 150 countries.

Saint Vincent de Paul visits the homes of those in need and provides basic necessities specifically tailored to each individual and family. In “Faith, Friendship, and Service,” volunteers help communities and bring hope to the greater Providence family. Signups can be found on the Helper Helper app.

St. Edward Food Center

The Saint Edward Food and Wellness Center is a non-profit founded by a Providence Parish in response to growing food scarcity among the nearby communities. The food center is run with dignity as the central mission; unlike most food kitchens, they focus on providing a restaurant-style atmosphere where meals are selected based on “client choice” and volunteers act as waiters, bringing the food to visitors. They serve about 400,000 pounds of food annually to over 2000 different families.

Providence College volunteers help with setup, service, and cleanup on Saturdays from 11:30-1:30. Signups can be found on the Helper Helper app.