Social Concerns

Why feed the hungry? When you are hungry but there isn't food on the shelves or in the refrigerator and money needs to go to rent, heat, and electricity, what do you do? We offer a way to help families through this with our food collection boxes at St. Boniface and St. Lawrence. We can help Sojourner Truth provide daily lunches and Salvation Army Food Pantry provides food for their 160-plus families. Please be part of this ministry by donating unexpired food into the collection boxes. We all can help make a difference. Needed items include pasta/sauce, mac & cheese,...

Read More

Make a Difference in Your Community: Join Our Social Concerns Ministry! We partner with incredible community organizations like Sojourner Truth Ministries, Senior C.A.R.E., Shepard of the Streets, Family Promise, and the YWCA to support those in need. Here's how you can get involved: Donate Food: We accept unexpired, non-perishable food donations at each of our churches. Volunteer Your Time: Contact our Parish Office at 570-326-1544 or email stboniface@comcast.net to learn about volunteer opportunities. Together, we can make a positive impact on...

Read More

The foundation of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) non-profit program is faith. They reach out in faith to the people they serve, trying to build a more just and peaceful world. They move forward and act on this mission as it is not enough to desire to serve, but they work with others to bring about real change. There are results to their ministry and we can be part of this by continuing to add to the RICE BOWL and designate a family amount to be given. Thank you for your continued support.

Read More

Lent

Social Concerns is looking for compassionate volunteers: Share your Friday mornings making a difference! Sojourner Truth Ministries is seeking volunteers to help serve free, healthy lunches every Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This meaningful opportunity allows you to connect with the community while offering a warm meal and a message of hope to those in need. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact the parish office with your phone number. Karen Fry will be in touch to provide further details and answer any questions you may have.

Read More

Sojourner Truth

Our parishes will be hosting Family Promise families the week of January 14–20 and are asked to provide nutritious meals. If you can provide a meal during this week, please contact parishioner Pam Fink at 570-916-0883. Thank you for your consideration.

Read More

Family Promise

It's the time of the year that Sojourner Trust Ministry, Family Promise, and Shepherd of the Streets could use extra support through our Giving Tree. Monetary donations for these local organizations are most appreciated.  A few tags are remaining on the tree in each church. Please return them to the collection boxes by December 25. Thank you to all who took a tag for the Salvation Army Christmas Tree. Please place unwrapped gifts with the name tag in a gift bag and place them in the back of church no later than the weekend of December 16/17. Thank you for y...

Read More

Every month, the YWCA's Wise Options Shelter and Liberty House provide safe havens for up to thirty children, many of whom are infants or toddlers, alongside their mothers. Last year, our parishes chose to extend a helping hand to these vulnerable young ones by hosting a "Baby Shower" in honor of the birth of Baby Jesus. This year, we invite you to join us once again in celebrating the spirit of giving with another "Baby Shower" in honor of Baby Jesus. Among the most needed items are: Diapers - all sizes, especially size 3 and up Toddler P...

Read More

When you are hungry but there isn’t food on the shelves or in the refrigerator and money needs to go to rent, heat, and electricity, what do you do? We offer a way to help families through this with our food collection boxes at St. Boniface and St. Lawrence. When we work together, we can help Sojourner Truth provide daily lunches and Salvation Army Food Pantry provide food for their more than 160 families. It takes all of us to make this happen. Please be part of this ministry by donating unexpired food into the collection boxes or helping deliver food to the min...

Read More

Family Promise has an urgent need for clothes. The clothing closet provides clothing absolutely free and is visited by about 5,000 individuals each year. We are in desperate need of clothing for men, women, and children. Our children's closet is very empty. You can reach out to Bobbie Jo at Bobbie@lycofp.org or call the Family Promise office at 570-567-7103. If needed, arrangements can be made to pick up your gently used, wearable clothing. We are also accepting coats and blankets for our Fall Warming community event. 

Read More

The YWCA is celebrating 130 years of service to the community. Their mission is “to empower those they serve, educate the community, and provide a safe haven for some of our most vulnerable community members.” Often those community members come to the Y with no more than the clothes on their backs and no financial resources to reestablish their lives. The YWCA gives each new resident a “comfort” or welcome bag filled with items to make their new space feel welcoming and safe. Items include XL sheet sets, blankets, pillows, small rugs, towels, bath...

Read More

Our social concerns committee is looking for additional volunteers to serve meals at Sojourner Truth Ministries soup kitchen on Fridays from 11 a.m.  to 12:30 p.m. The current need is for volunteers on July 21, August 18, September 8, 15 & 22.  Karen Fry is also looking for a parishioner to help schedule/contact volunteers on a regular basis. For more information, please contact Karen at 570-916-1565 or email Karen.fry11@gmail.com.

Read More

Sojourner Truth

Why feed the hungry? When you are hungry but there isn’t food on the shelves or in the refrigerator, and money needs to go to rent, heat, and electricity, what do you do? We offer a way to help families through this with our food collection boxes at St. Boniface and St. Lawrence. Working together we can help Sojourner Truth provide daily lunches and the Salvation Army Food Pantry provide food for their 160-plus families. It takes all of us to make this happen. Please be part of this ministry by donating unexpired food into the collections boxes or helping deliver food...

Read More

During any given month, the YWCA houses up to thirty children, many of whom are infants or toddlers, along with their mothers at the Wise Options Shelter and Liberty House. Last year, our parishes chose to help those most vulnerable small children with a “baby shower” of needed items in honor of the birth of the baby Jesus. Our parishes are again collecting baby necessities for the YWCA during the Advent weekends of December 3–4, 10–11, and 16–17. Most needed wish list items include: Diapers of all sizes, but especially size 3 and up, baby w...

Read More

Food items are needed for our local food banks:  1. Salvation Army Youth After School Program & Senior Meals - Small packaged snacks including goldfish crackers, fruit cups, pudding cups, Jell-O cups, granola bars, brownie mix, pasta, spaghetti sauce, boxed scallop potatoes and boxed mashed potatoes. 2. Family Promise & Shepherd of the Streets - Protein or fruit bars, dry cereal, granola, peanut butter, dried fruit, and canned juices. Donation boxes are located at the back of both churches. Please reach out to Dianne Fisher at 570-244-1409 or Sue Lingg at ...

Read More

Food items are needed for our local food banks:  1. Salvation Army Youth After School Program & Senior Meals - Small packaged snacks including goldfish crackers, fruit cups, pudding cups, Jell-O cups, granola bars, brownie mix, pasta, spaghetti sauce, boxed scallop potatoes and boxed mashed potatoes. 2. Family Promise & Shepherd of the Streets - Protein or fruit bars, dry cereal, granola, peanut butter, dried fruit, and canned juices. Donation boxes are located at the back of both churches. Please reach out to Dianne Fisher at 570-244-1409 or Sue Lingg at ...

Read More

On the weekends of July 16-17 & July 23-24 we would like to help collect items for "Welcome Bags" for the women who come into the YWCA shelter. These women often come with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, as they are most often escaping a very dangerous situation. These bags will hopefully help them feel more at home in their strange new living quarters. The bags have basic hygiene items like soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs and brushes. They also contain a towel and wash cloth, blanket, pillow, twin XL bed sheets, smal...

Read More

The Social Concerns Committee is collecting an average of 27 grocery bags of donated food items each week. The generousity of our parishes is much appreciated and several community organizations benefit.  These organizations continue to be in great need of non-perishable food items and donation boxes are located at both St. Boniface and St. Lawrence. This month's suggested donations include: Salvation Army, Family Promise and Shepherd of the Street: hamburger helper, pasta & sauce, mac 'n cheese, stuffing, box mashed potato...

Read More

This month's food pantry collection is focusing on easy meal preparation. Items requested include hamburger helper, macaroni & cheese, pasta & sauce, stuffing, box mashed potatoes, nonperishable microwave meals, and other prepackaged snacks.The most appropriate foods are ones that don't require more than water or simple ingredients to prepare.  Items can be placed in the food collection boxes in the back of both churches.  Thank you for your continued generosity! 

Read More

Family Promise has restarted their services to families experiencing homelessness. Family Promise hosted families at their center in January, but our parishes will be hosting the following weeks in 2022: February 13-19, May 29- June 4, August 14-20, November 27- December 3. Please contact parishioner Margy Foran at 570-360-1292 if you are interested in volunteering at any time during these dates. Thank you!  You can learn more about Family Promise on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/familypromiselycomingcounty/.

Read More

Family Promise

This month's food pantry collection is focusing on microwavable items such as: oatmeal packets, mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, mac 'n cheese bowls, soup and ramen noodles. The most appropriate foods are ones that don't require more than water to prepare.  Items can be placed in the food collection boxes in the back of both churches.  Thank you for your continued generosity! 

Read More

Dear Fr. Bill, St. Boniface and St. Lawrence congregations,      I give sincere thanks to God for laying upon your hearts the ministry of the Shepherd of the Streets.  We have been able to provide many of our neighbors in need with the gift of various hygiene items, which help promote their general health and personal care.  Our monthly kits help to extend the already limited budgets of our clients.  Any item that we can supply is an item that they do not have to personally purchase.  Thank you for providing us with 40 milk crates,...

Read More

St. Boniface and St. Lawrence parishes are invited to share in a Lenten activity of reflection of the needs of our fellow community members. The items needed include for hygiene kits for families are Childcare Items: Diaper& Pullup sizes 1-6; Baby Wash; Lotion; Oil; Shampoo & Wipes; Children's Tooth brushes/toothpaste. Regular size Items: Soap; Shampoo & Conditioner; Deordorant; Feminine Hygiene products; Band-Aids; Lotion; Toothbrushes/Toothpaste; Combs & Brushes; Washcloths. Collection bins are provided in the Narthex.

Read More

The new House of Hope Women's Shelter at STM, 501 High St. Williamsport, has delayed its opening. In the meantime, they are taking applications volunteers at the shelter. Social distancing will be in place during the pandemic. They are also looking for exercise machines, women’s clothing, new or used Christian DVDs, and cards with prayers or notes of encouragement.  If you can help in any way or have questions, please contact Karen Fry @ 570-916-1565

Read More

Hello Friends!   We have had a challenging time of finding overnight hosts for our Day Center families. Photos are of locking overnight room. It is cleaned daily and you may bring your own bedding. Only one person is needed each night, but there is room for two. I have created an email calendar with the ability to sign up and see the schedule.   Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:   1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: SignUP 2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like. 3) Sign up! It'...

Read More

Family Promise

FAMILY PROMISE: Our next scheduled host week is December 20th-27th.  If you want to know how you can help, contact Margy Foran@ 570-360-1292.

Read More

Family Promise

FOOD PANTRY needs FRUIT JUICE. Thank you to all families for supporting St. Joseph the Worker Food Pantry (working in affiliation with Central PA Food Bank), also needed for distribution: Instant mashed potatoes, Canned fruit, Canned vegetables, Gravy, Cranberry sauce, Bag cookies, Fruit snacks, Hot Chocolate packets, Grocery gift cards (any amount). Contact persons with questions:  Dianne Fisher SL 570-322-3278.

Read More

SOJOURNER TRUTH MINISTRY CONTACT: Steve Bower @ 412-526-8839. Soujourner House of Hope enables participants in a season of homelessness to develop a plan conducive to healthy living and ame positive and productive transitions into society.

Read More

Family Promise is providing meals and shelter for homeless families in our community. The host churches are providing meals and overnight hosts. Our week is September 6th-13th. Volunteers are needed provide meals are asked to bring the food to the Family Promise day center (the former MD rectory) on Hepburn St. Face masks are provided to families. Social distancing is expected. To volunteer please contact Margy Foran @ 570-360-1292.

Read More

There is a dire need for assistance to Family Promise (FP) to cover lodging and food for families in need. Some families are sheltering in hotels because they cannot find housing or stay with FP right now. Monetary donations could be sent to the St. Boniface office*. Make checks payable to - St. Boniface and on the check memo line write: Family Promise. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity. Family Promise Contact Margy Foran @ 570-360-1292.

Read More

“So many things have been suspended because of COVID-19, but what hasn’t been suspended is homelessness itself.” Claas Ehlers, Family Promise CEO. Much like every other organization during this pandemic, Family Promise has changed the way they are able to care for homeless families. While the strength of Family Promise was the many people driven by their faith and compassion to show up with food and hospitality to aid a homeless family, the proximity of caring people causes undeniable risk to the health of our entire community at this time. Our parish i...

Read More

Family Promise

    The following item request for March is Peanut Butter. Thank you to all families that have continued to feed the food box in both parishes. St. Joseph the Worker Food Pantry (working in affiliation with Central Pa. Food Bank), also need for distribution: Instant mashed potatoes, Canned fruit, Canned vegetables, Gravy, Cranberry sauce, Bag cookies, Fruit snacks, Hot Chocolate packets, Grocery gift cards (any amount). Contact persons with questions: Sue Lingg SB 570-322-8349 and Dianne Fisher SL 570-322-3278.

Read More

Open House - Sojourner House of Hope Friday February 28th 5:30p-7:30pm 669 Center St. Williamsport Sojourner Truth Ministries  Come learn about the planned communal, short-term home for women dedicated to leaving homelessness for God. Food provided by Hillside Catering. RSVP www.stmwilliamsport.org or 323- 1797.

Read More

Our parish will be hosting Family Promise from February 16th – 23rd . Currently there are 4 families totaling 13 people being served by the program. We invite our Family Promise volunteers to consider when they may be available. Contact Margy at signup4familypromisehere@gmail.com for more information.

Read More

Wonderful News Margy Foran had agreed to lead this vital ministry. Only 4 times each year, our parishes host homeless families while they await new housing. We have a good number of workers to assist. Now Margy completes the picture. THANKS for stepping forward! If you want to join that team with some small and well-defined tasks, contact her at 570-360-1292 or signup4familypromisehere@gmail.com   On February 9th at 4pm there will be a gathering for new and current volunteers and interested people, at the St. Lawrence Parish Center Basement (PREP Building). Conta...

Read More

January Food Pantry Thank you to all our families, we have been able to take a very large amount of food to the St. Joseph Food Pantry throughout November and December. We ask that you continue this so that we can help throughout the winter months. This is a service project of the SB & SL Parish Councils. Item of the month of January: Spaghetti Sauce. Other Items needed: Cereal/granola bars; Mac and Cheese; Peanut Butter; Pasta/Pasta Sauce; Ramen Noodle; Tuna; Canned Vegetables. If you have questions or suggestions regarding this ...

Read More

The time is here for the “Touch-A-Heart” at Christmas. A tree will be placed in the lobby at the entrance of St. Boniface Church and one in the back of the church at St. Lawrence. Please take a tag/envelop from the tree. This year we will give locally and also have an opportunity to share our gifts abroad. Place your donations in the attached envelop: You can either drop it in the church collection plate, or bring it to the rectory. If you are donating a gift (for Salvation Army), please wrap it and include the tag with the gift so they know what it is and place...

Read More

Thank you to our St. Boniface/St. Lawrence Families for helping fill the food boxes. Hoping for more families to help fill the food box as we try to fill the shelves at the St. Joseph The Worker Food Pantry. This is a service project of the SB & SL Parish Councils. Item of the month of October: STUFFING & INSTANT MASHED POTATOES. Other Items needed: Cereal/granola bars; Mac and Cheese; Peanut Butter; Pasta/Pasta Sauce; Ramen Noodle; Tuna; Canned Vegetables. If you have questions or suggestions regarding this ministry, contact Sue Lingg 322-8349 or Dianne Fisher 322-...

Read More

Our card ministry is gearing up for the upcoming holiday season and is in need of Thanksgiving & Christmas greeting cards and Fall & Christmas themed stickers. We could also use postage stamps. You can donate to this wonderful ministry by placing these items in the Senior Care Box located in the Coat Room at St. Boniface or in the foyer of St. Lawrence Church. Thank you for your support.

Read More

Senior CARE Team