Less than a month after preparing and serving about 12,000 Thanksgiving meals, St. Augustine Hunger Center is repeating the process for Christmas. This is the 48th year for the holiday meal program and once again, the hunger center needs donations and volunteers.
Those wishing to register for a meal, those needing a ride to a meal location or those needing a meal delivered to them should call the church at 216-781-5530 by Dec. 23, if possible. Those who can volunteer to assist with preparing, packaging or delivering meals to the homebound also should call 216-781-5530. Anyone knowing of an individual or a family in need of a meal also can call the church to make arrangements.
Father Joseph McNulty, pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, said even though the hunger center cannot open its doors to all for a traditional sit-down meal and fellowship because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, about 700 people still get daily meals – many of which are delivered to their homes. The hunger center switched to take-out meals earlier this year as the pandemic took hold.
Now, the continuing spread of COVID-19 is forcing changes to the way the Christmas meal will be served. Instead of welcoming people to the dining room at the church and other locations around the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, most meals will be distributed as takeout meals at sites around the area or delivered.
For those who registered, a full Christmas meal will be delivered and served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 25 at St. Augustine Church Hall, 2486 W. 14th St., Cleveland. Pandemic-imposed safety guidelines strictly limit the number of people permitted in gathering spaces, so only the homeless or those who have nowhere else to go will be able to have a sit-down meal. Capacity is limited in order to meet the social distancing guidelines.
This year, meals will be packed and delivered from nearby Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Tremont, Father McNulty said.
“Meals will be prepared and delivered to families’ homes who call in or individuals who would like to pick up their meals here at St. Augustine Church can do so,” Father McNulty said.
This year, there are seven sites where Christmas meals will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Fifth Christian Church, 14109 Benwood Ave., Cleveland; St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 7903 Kinsman Ave., Cleveland; Anointed Gates Church, 800 E. 152nd St., Cleveland; House of God Church, 12309 Soika Ave., Cleveland; Universal Assembly Holy Body of Christ, 11706 Union Ave., Cleveland; St. Elizabeth Center, 2776 Caroline Ave., Lorain; and Chosen 4 His Glory, 263 5th St., Struthers.
Residents only will be served at 17 additional sites.
Because so many meals will be delivered this year, Father McNulty said there is an additional cost to package them and thus a greater need for donations to help offset costs. Donations can be dropped off at the church office or mailed to St. Augustine Church, 2486 W. 14th St., Cleveland.
“Remember the homeless and those in need during this holiday season,” he said. “Pray for them and support the shelters that seek to give a hand to those in need.”
For more information, email staugch@earthlink.net, click here or call 216-781-5530.