Mardi Gras 2020

THE CHILDREN'S VILLAGE

The Children's Village in Dobbs Ferry works in partnership with families to help society's most vulnerable children become educationally proficient, economically productive and socially responsible members of our communities. For over 30 years, SJtL has been involved in helping to fulfill this mission. Our multi-generational efforts include: underwriting graduation expenses for the Greenburgh 11 School District; contributing to various outings including baseball, basketball, and football games, movies and ice skating; providing holiday gifts from a child's wish list and baking cookies for all resident cottages. Additionally, individual parishioners have provided foster care, one-on-one mentoring, and tutoring.

EDWARD WILLIAM'S SCHOOL - WAGON ROAD CAMP
Wagon Road Camp, run by The Children's Aid Society, provides underprivileged children with 7 weeks of wonder in the natural world. SJtL works with "at risk" youth in the after school program at the Edward Williams Elementary School in Mount Vernon by raising money to send many of these children to this life-altering camp. For 11 years, we have been getting kids off the streets and into camp where they receive essential meals as well as the tools to break the cycle of poverty, all while having the best summer of their lives. SJtL's support is essential to the continuation of this program.

MIDNIGHT RUN
The Midnight Run, based in Dobbs Ferry, organizes member groups in over 1,000 relief missions each year to deliver food, clothing, blankets and personal care products to the homeless poor in New York City. For over 20 years our Senior Youth Group has been involved with leading these missions. Eight to ten times a year, our youth not only deliver food and clothing to the homeless, but engage in conversation showing caring and building trust with those less fortunate. Outreach funds supplement parish donations including the purchase of winter coats, hats, mittens, jeans, sweatshirts, tee shirts, socks, underwear, backpacks, blankets and toiletries.

ST. JAMES FORDHAM FOOD PANTRY

The St. James Food Pantry in the Bronx, where a majority of households earn $30,000 or less a year, provides fresh and healthy food to its neighbors, regardless of religious affiliation and without discrimination. Using best practices and guidelines from the NYS Department of Health, they ensure each family leaves with approximately three days worth of nutritious meals. In addition to contributing food to meet the pantry's needs, several times a year we volunteer at the food pantry packing healthy meals and distributing the food to those in need.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DIAPER BANK

Diaper Need is a silent crisis with parents and caregivers often choosing between food, rent or buying diapers. The Westchester County Diaper Bank provides diapers at no cost to families in need. The Junior League of Central Westchester operates the diaper bank and distributes the diapers through the Department of Social Services. SJtL runs several diaper drives during the year and also assists in packaging diapers for distribution on behalf of the Diaper Bank.