Children’s collection feeds more than 41,000

Every Sunday, Father Joseph Jacobi sits on the steps of the altar during Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mustang holding a small wicker basket labeled “children’s collection.” The children of the parish bring coins and small bills, happily placing them in the basket. 

“When I started the Children’s Collection at our Sunday Masses in November 2021, I envisioned our young people not only sharing their material treasure to feed other hungry children in our world but also physically putting into practice this work of mercy,” said Father Jacobi, pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church.  

The parish’s children’s collection has amassed more than $14,000 since its inception, enough to fund a significant outreach project. Partnering with Cross Catholic Outreach, the parish set out to pack 40,000 meals; lifesaving food that would be distributed to people in need worldwide.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, hundreds of parishioners and community members of all ages packed their Family Life Center to begin the hours-long process of sorting, organizing and carrying completed packages of “vitafood,” specially formulated meal packs designed to meet the needs of malnourished people around the world.

“It gave me great joy to see over 200 people, ranging in age from 84 to little children, helping pack over 40,000 meals for those who hunger for food in other countries,” Father Jacobi said. “Everyone working together and enjoying each other’s company was a powerful sign of the Holy Spirit at work, uniting us as the Body of Christ despite language, cultural or age differences.”

“It’s a wonderful blessing not only to the people that we feed with these food packets but also to the people who have come to work together to do so,” Father Jacobi said, “and getting to know others and a sense of a wider community to which they belong.”

Erika Kvak, development officer for Cross Catholic Outreach, a Vatican-endorsed nonprofit whose mission is to partner with Catholic religious and lay people to deliver food, hope, and shelter, kicked off the day by thanking the nearly 300 people in attendance.

“[This] was one of my all-time favorite packing events,” Kvak said. “The outpouring of volunteers from the parish and community was a beautiful thing to witness.”

Kvak recalled looking up at one point in the morning, concerned there wouldn’t be enough room for all the volunteers to help. 

“This was not a problem,” Kyak said. “The entire room was filled with volunteers packing, translating, cleaning, boxing, filling bins and hospitality. Every person that helped did so with a smile and a joyful heart. I truly witnessed seeing the hands and feet of Jesus in action that morning.”  

When Kvak and her team left that day, more than 41,000 meals had been packed and prepared to distribute to families in need all over the world. 

Martha Torres, coordinator of Children’s Evangelization, organized the day of service. 

“The vitality of our parish, community and the presence of the Holy Spirit were so in tune and joyful that day. God called his people, they responded to his call, and he’d laid out a plan to care for their needs as they cared for others,” Torres said. 

Elijah Coleman, age 14, worked alongside a friend for the day. 

“It was great! I liked that so many of us came together. It felt good to know this would be helping people.” 

His sister, Elisa, age 9, said the morning was much work, “but it was worth it because I like helping people!”

Less than three hours after the day began, Jorge Morales, parishioner and volunteer translator, took the mic. 

“It is my honor to let you know we didn’t meet our goal. We exceeded it!” he exclaimed, which was met with loud cheers and applause. 

“Every single Sunday, this money has been coming from your families into that little basket. Imagine how many families we have fed today. Imagine how many families can say thank you because of this today. You are a blessing. You came in today and gave some of your time with a goal in mind and not only met it but exceeded it. We are a body of Christ. We are a community,” Morales said.

For more information on Cross Catholic Outreach visit their website at CrossCatholic.org. 

Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic. 

Photo: Eliana Tedrow/Sooner Catholic.