Mary’s Pantry at IHM

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Mission Statement

Mary's Pantry, as a ministry and outreach of IHM parish, serves as a vehicle for extending God's abundance in response to the need of individuals and families, of all cultures and beliefs, who request assistance to supplement their own resources for food and clothing. The staff and volunteers respond by extending God's love, compassion and blessings through conversation, guidance and the distribution of material items of food, clothing and household necessities.

 Mary’s Pantry is located in a small house on the Parish property. Each room offers a different piece of the program.  There is a “living room” for informal conversation with an information and referral table and daily bread and pastry. There are 2 rooms which contain the food portion of the food pantry. In addition there is a clothing room- available to anyone at any time which includes clothing, coats, boots and shoes for all ages. We have books available to adults and children to read, to borrow, to keep.  The community supports this effort with continual generous donations of gently used clothing, books and household items. Those who have fallen on hard times usually need more than food. We talk with folks to find out issues they are struggling with and what their potential barriers are. We offer support and links to a range of services in addition to increasing food security.

Pantry Hours

Monday:  1:00-2:30 p.m.
Tuesday:  3:00-4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Any day by appointment:
315-451-5070


Bread, clothing and household items are available to all-free of charge during open hours. 



Holidays
Mary’s Pantry offers a Thanksgiving basket to all families that use our pantry as well as to those in need in our community. At Christmas we provide gifts from our Parish Giving Tree as well as a grocery gift card to each of our families. 

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School Supplies

School supplies are available the last week of August. Children may bring in their school supply list and choose their supplies.

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Sandwich Ministry
A merry group of dedicated sandwich makers prepare and deliver 250-300 sandwiches to the Catholic Charities Men’s Shelter on the first and third Friday of each month.

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McDevitt Grant
McDevitt grant provides an additional weekly meal package to families with school age children to help to replace the meals that the children receive at school during the school year.

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We are very grateful for the Parish and community support.
We have received a number of donations and grants that enable us to carry on these ministries.

The Food Bank of Central New York HPNAP Grant 
We received $5600.00 for food, which is in an account with the Food Bank. We received $1500.00 for Support.
We received an $850.00 Fresh Produce Grant to provide produce from local farmers to our pantry families.

McDevitt Grant
We received $5630.00 through the McDevitt Grant from the Diocese of Syracuse  to help fund a summer food program.  Eligibility to apply for the grant is based on the Parish fulfillment of the HOPE Appeal pledge. We will offer weekly bag lunches as well as a weekly supplemental food package for families with school age children. This grant will help families whose children receive free breakfast and lunch at school during the school year. 

United Liverpool Faculty Association
We received $500.00 from these generous teachers! Each summer the ULFA supports Liverpool area food pantries with a donation. Many families depend on the school breakfast and lunch programs to help stretch their food dollars. These teachers recognize the impact that the loss of these 2 meals a day can mean to some families. A very giving, caring community!! 

Mary's Pantry  
      I would like to acknowledge and give thanks to Al Sahm for his many years of service. Several days a week- every week- for over 20 years Al has picked up surplus bread and pastries from TOPS Markets and distributed them to the community.  Al would fit up to 30 Banana boxes of goodies in his car and begin the rounds- the Samaritan Center, the VA, the homebound vets and more- including Mary’s Pantry. 
     Just like the Postal Service- Al delivered in rain, sleet, snow, blizzard.....- when nothing else was moving- I would hear the scrape of the snow shovel and Al would be making his way in with the goodies. Bread is available to folks who stop in- any day. Many have said that when they have nothing else- they can always make a peanut butter sandwich- and that is thanks to Al!! Our folks have been fortunate to celebrate birthdays with beautifully decorated cakes - thanks to Al. The bread and pastry ministry has been an integral part of Mary’s Pantry and we will all miss Al. As a member of the American Legion Post in Liverpool- each day Al would take all of the clothing that Mary’s Pantry could not use to the clothing collection box at the legion- helping to financially support the Legion. 
     I have known Al through his service to Mary’s Pantry at IHM. Al has lived a life of service. At 18 he was a Yeoman in the Navy stationed in Pearl Harbor. In the 1960’s-70’s Al was an usher, the maintenance and the Vice President of the St Joseph the Worker Parish as they built the new church. Al was President of the Historical Association of Liverpool, on the board of the VFW, the American Legion, a 14 year village trustee and 2 term mayor of the village of Liverpool. Al and his wife raised six children.
Al and his wife became parishioners of IHM in the 1980’s - a Eucharistic Minister. an usher and an invaluable member of our Parish community. Daily Mass. parish events, parish ministries and just to lend a hand- Al is present.  
     On behalf of Mary’s Pantry and the community that we serve- and the IHM Parish community I offer our heartfelt gratitude to Al for a lifetime of service.
~ Terry Lacey
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.1 Peter 4:1 0 

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