Helping Hands Ministry

For Those In Need
The food pantry is available every Saturday morning at 9:30am for families and individuals in need who register with our Helping Hands Ministry for food assistance.   We provide each family with non-perishable food, bakery items, produce and prepared foods from our pantry.  We currently serve over 100 families throughout Bergen, Passaic and Hudson Counties.

How It Works
Our Food Rescue Mission is a seven-day-a week operation wherein we “glean” an assortment of perishable foods from local food establishments. Volunteers visit local food donors each day beginning at 7:30am to collect extra/unused food items. The “rescued” food items are brought to our kitchen where they are sorted, repackaged and stored for our Saturday morning distribution for those in need.  We also accept perishable foods on an "on-call" basis from other local churches, food establishments & organizations.  Contact the parish office to get involved, register for food assistance or donate food items.

Craft Projects
A group of thirty plus volunteers work year ‘round to crochet a variety of hand-made items. Lap Robes are created and given as Christmas gifts to the residents of local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. During the year our Lap Robes are also provided to the patients of Holy Name Medical Center’s Hospice Program. Blanket and hats are hand-made for newborn babies at St. Mary’s Hospital.  We are currently seeking additional volunteers to participate in this program, so contact us at the parish office if you are called to serve in this ministry.

Holiday Gift Giving
Every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter we provide a holiday meal basket for each family in our food assistance program. We rely on parishioners of Sacred Heart to assist this effort by providing specific meal items.  Organizations food establishments also assist our efforts by donating turkeys and hams. 

We will be collecting toys, gloves, hats and scarves for the children of the local families that we assist on a weekly basis. Please consider helping us to help those in need! Contact the parish office to donate food items for the upcoming holiday season.