Patrician

come back, and we give them a slip of paper with all the food cupboards in town. Since a lot of our clients are Hispanics who don’t have cars, we’re the basic cupboard in town and they feel safe coming here because of St. Patrick Church and they like that we’re part of the community,” Rooney added. “Some of the doctors at Norristown Family Practice have been referring their patients here and they just don’t want to go anywhere else. They feel safe here.”

To round out the nonperishable items, the cupboard regularly receives

fresh produce and meat from Philabundance and Caring and Sharing in Philadelphia.

For those looking to donate grocery items, soup — canned and dry — and rice are especially needed.

“The interesting thing is, since we’re not government funded, we thought our resources were going to go right down the drain. But it’s amazing how many people have come out are going to the grocery store and donating groceries and having food drives,” Rooney said.

Several schools and organizations have been lending a hand recently as well.

“We told Pope John Paul II we needed food and they called their students and their families and went out

and started food drives. St. Patrick in Malvern went out and did a food drive and diaper drive. And our regular donors in Corpus Christie and St. Philip Neri,” Rooney allowed. “We thought we were going to have an empty cupboard so it’s just amazing that people are still willing to donate. People that we never heard of before came out of the woodwork to help out, so that we could even purchase food. It’s been so humbling and wonderful.”

The organization has now put into place safety protocol for staff, volunteers and clients as recommended for Hunger Relief Organizations.

“We are serving our clients outdoors keeping six

feet distance between the client and staff, as well as client to client,” Rooney pointed out. “We are very thankful for the local food resource organizations such as SHARE food program, MAHN, Philabundance, and the Montco Anti-Hunger Network. These organizations are a large part of the reason that the Patrician Society can provide the service we do. We are receiving food from Mitzvah Circle, Giant Food Stores, MAHN Food Rescue, Caring for Friends, Philabundance, and some of our regular private donors who are not impacted by the Covid19 shutdown.”

Volunteers have stepped up from some unexpected places.

“We have a lot of friends of friends who’ve been volunteering, and young kids who are out of school, seniors in high school who are volunteering. We’ve really been blessed that we’re able to hang in there and still be able to serve people,” Rooney said.

Those interested in donating food may call 610272-6316 for more information about what is needed, Rooney said.

Office hours for donation drop off are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The cupboard is open Tuesday and Thursday, 1 to 3 p.m.

The Patrician Society is located at 121 E. Chestnut St., Norristown

“There are no easy answers these days, but providing access to our members for direction about common or even complex legal questions improves access to justice for everyone in Montgomery County.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO High School senior volunteer Matthew Chiodo pitches in at the Patrician Society.