Good Sam Outreach

Easter reminds us of the promise of new life and spring always feels so good! It brings a very busy time
of gardens, new projects, visiting families and renewing friendships – just generally sprucing up.
The Good Sam Outreach Committee keeps an eye on community needs and proposals for assistance. It
is easy to become numb to the many causes that arrive in our mailboxes, email boxes, texts and on social media – including the cute neighbors that arrive on our doorsteps with cookie orders.
Good Sam has a few suggestions that fit the commandment to “love thy neighbor.” So, if you have
“things” in bags or boxes in your garage or closet just waiting for the right place to make a difference,
please consider the Webster Hope garage sale. Although the sale isn’t until September 11-14, the last
two drop off dates are Wednesdays May 22 and May 29. Take donations from 3-5pm to the Knights of Columbus area behind Holy Trinity Church. Webster Hope is supported by the generous parishioners at St. Paul’s with donations for their food pantry. The garage sale supports operating expenses and special projects.
Please check websternyhope.org for a detailed list of items they can sell and ones they cannot accept.
Of course, all donations should be clean and in working order. The need for empty chip bags and socks
with holes has expired.
Webster Hope is always pleased to welcome volunteers to stock the food shelves and sort donated
clothing for their weekly service to the Webster community.
There is also Rochester Hope, launched in October, 2022. There are many impressive statistics of the
numbers served listed on their website at rochesterhope.org: an example is the 650 adults; 400 children
and 50 seniors served each week. The scope continues to expand due to the partnership with 50+
agencies which offer professional support. Still, it is donations of food, clothing and time being the
foundation in the many services. St. Paul’s collects food, cleaning supplies and personal items every
other month for the efforts of Rochester Hope.
Another activity that receives support from St. Paul’s and is very close to home: Webster Backpack. The
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Webster coordinates donations with the Webster Central Schools and
provides weekend and school break bags of food to about 100 children in Webster. The district identifies
the children and distributes the packs. Good Sam plans a “stock up” drive at the end of August to be
ready for the next school year.
During Lent, you also supported the Eastern Services Workers Association with food donations. This is
an amazing, comprehensive service organization: all-volunteer, non-government funded, serving and
providing advocacy for low-income workers in Rochester. They provide 11 benefit programs ranging
from emergency food to legal advice. To inquire, call 585.654.9640. No website is listed.
Webster Comfort Care is a wonderful organization also charging no fees to clients, thus relying upon
donations, fundraisers and VOLUNTEERS to provide service to the terminally ill and their families. To sign up for volunteer training, phone 585-872-5290.
Catholic Charities Family Center continues to resettle in-coming refugees to our area. Volunteering for
housing set-ups is a continuous need. Set-ups are usually completed in three hours. For more specific
needs, see the list at ww2.fcscharities.org.
Saint’s Place has collected and distributed furniture, household items, linens and clothing to refugees
and immigrants for many years. They will be moving in the fall to St. John’s of Rochester from St. Louis in
Pittsford. Their annual fundraiser Super Sale will be held on August 7-10 at St. John’s, 8 Wickford Way,
Fairport. For more information, to donate or to volunteer please visit their website at www.saintsplace.org
If you do not have the time or ability to volunteer, please know that going shopping at one of the
fundraisers is also helpful.
Lastly, volunteer right here at St. Paul’s as an usher, greeter, sacristan, Jambo Java Café host or one of the parish committees. Information can be found on our website www.stpauls.rcc.org