Our Food Pantries at His Hands and within the Diocese of San Bernardino are in dire need of food of all types, even consider providing food for homeless that do not have cooking facilities available to them. If you could spare some food for our Pantry, would be much appreciated.
I have already reached out to Carolyn Hite, His Hands Coordinator for the St Anthony/St Joseph combined Pantry. His Hands is in need of assorted food items: beans, rice (limited to maximum of 10# bags), cereal (hot and cold), canned food, jelly/jam, peanut butter, crackers/cookies, individual eating utensils packets, toiletry items. Please check your personal pantry or putchasing of items you may be able to donate. Also, check for expiration dates on items. ANY expired items are not able to distribute through His Hands Pantry.
Parish Offices are closed, but Pantry is open for food drop off and distribution, so any items you wish to donate, drop off at the Pantry during hours of operation or in the church, in front of the office at St. Anthony’s.
Thank you and God Bless your acts of charity...
Our ability to serve those in need is made possible through patnership with our faith communities, businesses and community groups working together for the one common cause: we provide time, talent and treasure to bring hope to those in need.
His Hands Food Bank Ministry serves those in need with love and compassion. A faith based nonprofit, it has served the homeless and low-income families in Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Montclair, Ontario, and surrounding areas for over 30 years. A 4 day supply of nonperishable food is provided to our clients every two weeks. Our homeless community is provided a 4 day supply of food that does not require cooking and hygiene kits. Blankets and undergarments are given, if available.
For the Fiscal Year 2018/2019 His Hands served 3,719 persons from Upland and 3,256 persons who lived in the surrounding cities. The total served 6,975 amounts to a total cost of $73,856. This total cost does not include special events, e.g. Thanksgiving turkey luncheon, Christmas food baskets and toy distribution.
For Christmas 2018 His Hands gave the homeless community two - $10 gift cards to local fast food restaurants, a pack of new socks, gloves, mittens, and scarves, along with a brand new sleeping bag. Since it was such a cold winter, we ended up purchasing additional blankets for our low income families that could not afford to heat their homes.
St. Anthony Church is a big supporter of His Hands Ministry. A huge Thank You is expressed to all the parishioners who frequently donate non-perishable food items every week/month. Please note that food items past the Best Buy date cannot be distributed because of a San Bernardino County Health Department regulation. For the past three years during Lent we ask for every family to donate a bag of groceries. This past Lent 2019 over 300 bags of groceries were donated.
Starting again in September we will have a reverse food collection where the parishioner can pick a food slip from the basket as you leave the church. Please bring the food item the following Sunday. Containers are provided in the back of the church.
His Hands is located in the garage area of the two story building behind St. Joseph's Church, 877 N. Campus Avenue in Upland. His Hands is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 11 AM.
If you are interested in joining this service ministry, helping the needy and homeless families in our community, please contact Mary O’Neil for more information. (909) 941-1352