Matthew 25 Ministry
CURRENT AND UPCOMING MATTHEW25 MINISTRY PROJECTS
June 2025 Update
It feels like we’ve been cloaked in rain and gray clouds over the past month. Are we going to let it get us down? No, perhaps we can focus on the positive aspects of rainy days. Nature is incredibly inspiring. We experience a heavy downpour, and suddenly the most amazing optical illusion appears in the sky — a rainbow. Not only is a rainbow something that leaves us in awe or brings smiles to our faces, but it also has a history that dates back to biblical times. It’s a covenant that God made with Noah and mankind. For Matthew 25, we believe that when it rains, it pours. It pours only good things. We fill the pantry with the necessary items, and a rainbow begins to emerge as the pantry receives our donations until the entire rainbow is visible. Can you picture that?
We made a small donation on May 21, 2025, and will make a delivery later next week. School is out, food remains expensive, and people need our help during the summer. We will deliver outside of our schedule. Seeds of Hope will inform us when they are low. We arrange for pick-up and delivery within one to two days.
There are bright days ahead as we embrace summer. Whatever you aim to do regardless of the weather, bring your own sunshine. It feels wonderful to be a change-maker. Please continue to keep Matthew 25 in mind during these quieter months. We need your support and always appreciate your Vanco donations. It’s easiest for us to fulfill quantities and requests by purchasing directly on your behalf.
Food For Thought:” The greatest glories in life are not having enough, but in being happy.” ~ unknown
Memorial Day Update
Did you know that May 28th is World Hunger Day? Did you also know it serves as a crucial reminder that hunger is a persistent issue that doesn’t take a day off? As we prepare our stomachs for Memorial Day and summer barbecues, we’ll have burgers on the grill and more sides and desserts than we can imagine. It’s often difficult to picture the people in our neighborhoods who will smell our food but lack the means to provide for their families. When you visualize that, it suddenly feels very real. Unfortunately, this is our reality.
Matthew 25 will do its part to deliver supplies to our pantries.
Please support our ministry as we enter the quieter summer months at church. Hunger doesn’t take a break. We need your donations to continue serving our communities. Our message remains the same, and it seems we are always asking for support. This is how we sustain our ministry. It’s heartbreaking to think that many kids will lose access to free meal services as the school year ends.
Together, as a parish, we can continue to be difference-makers.
Matthew 25 wishes everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day! We are grateful to all who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for our beautiful country.
Food Food For Thought:
“Don’t waste your time in anger, regrets, worries, and grudges. Life is too short to be unhappy.” ~ Roy T. Bennett
May 2025 Update
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Christos Anesti!
Wishing you a joyous resurrection!
April was busy delivering meats and eggs to our pantries. We made two trips to Seeds of Hope for shopper rotation. This Lenten season emphasized renewal, humility, and almsgiving. Matthew 25 followed Jesus's call and gave generously. Seeds of Hope thanked us for our Easter meat deliveries, which their shoppers appreciated. Somerton Interfaith also expressed gratitude for our donations. We thank everyone at Annunciation for your support; Matthew 25 is a ministry of Annunciation, serving our parish and God.
In May, we will return to our usual donations of eggs and other requested foods. We're open to providing different foods based on pantry needs. Our relationships with these pantries are seamless; their compassion and respect for their communities uplift us. We love serving them and anticipate a stable partnership. As inflation rises, be mindful of its effects on our communities. If we feel it, our food-insecure neighbors are affected, too, receiving less at markets and pantries. We'll communicate needs and changes as we learn about their challenges.
Enjoy this Bright Week and its glory. As the sun and warm weather return, our hearts are full. Focus on simple pleasures like a walk or the beauty of spring.
Food for thought: “The entire plan for the future has its key in the resurrection” ~ Billy Graham
MISSION
Our mission is to share our love of Christ with our needy and poor neighbors. Our message doesn’t change from year to year, and our purpose is to continue to serve our neighbors and live our faith by bringing awareness to our parish of the food insecurities plaguing our local suburbs.
PARTICIPATION
There are numerous ways to get involved! Whether you're interested in delivering to the pantry, preparing meals, or identifying community needs, we welcome your volunteer hands. Contact any of Mathew 25's ministry leaders to learn more about how you can contribute to this essential humanitarian effort. Check our Weekly Bulletin and Community Calendar for current and upcoming projects.
CONTACTS
Sophia Penning, sophiagreekgirl@gmail.com
Lisa Trivelis, oceancitymom1@gmail.com