Catholic Charities’ Executive Director Expresses Gratitude for Generosity Shown at Pack the Porches

(KNSI) — “An incredible day” was how Catholic Charities’ Executive Director Steve Pareja described Friday’s 11th annual Pack the Porches food and fund drive.

The food shelf raised $23,011 and collected 4,403 pounds of food. Coborn’s once again matched all food and fund donations up to $10,000.

Pareja talked about two generous givers who really stood out. The first, he says, was a story of a woman who drove up at St. Cloud Hyundai and asked if that was the drop-off site for Pack the Porches. She then handed a staff member a blank white envelope and drove away. Inside were ten $100 bills.

The other story was about a curious pedestrian at Pioneer Place on 5th. Pareja explained that he asked what they were doing, and when he was told they were collecting food for the food shelf, he asked if they collected money. Pareja says the man reached into his wallet and took out the last bit of money he had and said, “I’m not a rich man. But there are other people who need help.”

Pareja says, “Words cannot express the gratitude that I have for how this community comes out to help. You know, we don’t know those people by name or face likely that are coming to the food shelf. But you know, it’s important, and people step up and help out.”

Food and funds from the event support Catholic Charities Food Shelf, serving the St. Cloud, St. Augusta, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park, and Sartell areas.

If you missed Pack the Porches, donate online by clicking here.

KNSI Reporter Jake Judd contributed to this story.

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