The mission of the Outreach Commission is to be the hands, feet, and voice of Christ by sharing in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy with those in need; to live out Jesus’ teaching that whatsoever you do to the least of my people, you do unto me.
We are looking into different ways to help and be of service to others. Some areas we have considered are: children, seniors, homeless, and parents. We are open to other potential ideas.
Members of Outreach Commission
Penelope Frigon - Co-chair
Jennie Link - Co-chair
Lynn Stuart - Treasurer
Kristin Baumgartner
Mindy Dannemiller
Kris Duran
Adele Noschang
Kelly Mondy
Carrie O'Brien
Susan Haushalter
Bill Frantz - Parish Staff Liaison
If you need assistance with food, rent, utility bills, clothing, and other basic needs please call the SVDP Help Line at 528-8613.
If you feel called to help or would like more information, please feel free to contact Penelope Frigon (513) 478-5786 or Jennie Link (513) 218-9732
“I’m sorry, but we can’t allow you to purchase over the limits anymore and we just don’t have the food you are looking for.” - Sam’s Club
This following is a note from Erin Fischer, a St. Veronica parishioner and school parent who is the organizer of the parish’s Outreach Commission Power Pack program.
The St. Veronica Church Power Pack program has been in place for the West Clermont kids over the last 4 years and has grown to 150 children receiving these packs to supplement their food on the weekends. It’s funded through our generous church members, each pack cost around $5 including the bag. After that, we purchase a month's worth of food through Sam’s Club, bring back to the church and our school children unload and unbox, from there a group of volunteers pack the food for the month, and another group of volunteers deliver to the schools. And behind the scenes is another group of volunteers that serve on the commission and make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. We serve Sommerside, WT, Willowville, Clough, and West Clermont Middle school. It’s truly a beloved church, school, and community project.
This is what happened on March 30th as the schools had closed and distancing requirements were in place…
I went to Sam’s on Monday with my list to see if I could just purchase one week’s worth of food EVERY week during this crisis. Because they told me they are completely MAXED out, I had my one-week opportunity and exceptions were over.
Tears ran down my eyes with the heaviness of the thought of not feeding kids during this crisis. We have set up a team to deliver the Power Packs directly to homes, so now we have actually met the children that get our packs and it’s personal. I truly felt defeated and thought I had no more options.
I decided to share on my Facebook page while sitting in the car in the Sam’s parking lot feeling defeated.
Within minutes, people from all over the United States wanted to send food, set up a drive, pray for our program, and offer suggestions for other distributors. That night, we had a contact from Costco in Florence that would allow us to purchase the food, contacts at Kroger, and Sysco. I even had a friend send me money.
We were able to purchase one weeks-worth of food on Wednesday, pack it up on Thursday, and we are delivering today.
That will be our rhythm until this crisis is over. Feeling overwhelmed and blessed to be in the middle of this miracle. Mindy, one of our Outreach Commission members sent us all the message that “Faith doesn’t make it easy, it makes it possible”. We can’t do anything great alone, and this project could not happen without ALL the people that support it.
Given Erin’s testimony, we ask parishioners to prayerfully consider giving to the Power Pack fund and to use their pink envelope each month to help fund this ongoing project. Parishioners and friends can also make a contribution through Faith Direct the online contribution website for St. Veronica. Here's the link. https://membership.faithdirect.net/OH221
Now, WLWT as part of its ongoing Project Community initiative, WLWT will host a “Day of Giving” all-day this Thursday, April 22 both on-air and on WLWT.com. WLWT has partnered with local school districts across Greater Cincinnati to directly help families in need.
“This is a way to help families right here in Greater Cincinnati and the Tri-State without leaving your house,” said Branden Frantz, WLWT president and general manager (no relation to Bill Frantz, St. Veronica Pastoral Associate). “Right now, there are many families struggling to put food on the table. This is a way to help our friends and neighbors here at home during this pandemic.”
Donations can be made in person on Thursday at area schools, or online.
The donations for students in WEST CLERMONT SCHOOLS:
Where to Donate Thursday: donate to the Wolf Pack Pantry at West Clermont Middle School (1341 Clough Pike, Batavia) from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. You can also place donations at any of the eight Blessing Boxes available and open to the public 24/7. Monetary donations accepted online through Cincy Kids 4 Kids, St. Veronica Outreach, Empower Youth and Inter-Parish Ministry.
Wish List: The Wolf Pack Pantry needs kid friendly cereal, pop-tarts, canned chicken/tuna, canned chili, packaged meal kids, hygiene items, and household cleaning items.
St. Veronica Outreach Commission builds "Power Packs" for local students on a monthly basis. These are given out to students who are on free and reduced lunch programs and do not have enough food through the weekend. These are given out by the local schools of West Clermont on Fridays for students to take home.
We ask parishioners to prayerfully consider giving to use their pink envelope each month to help fund this ongoing project. Parishioners and friends can also make a contribution through Faith Direct the online contribution website for St. Veronica. Here'sthe link. https://membership.faithdirect.net/OH221
What is a power pack?
Single serving peanut-free food items that are easily prepared. These are given to students so they will have enough food to eat on the weekends.
These Power Packs will be built on the 4th weekend of the month. Please click the following link if you are interested in participating.