As we get closer to Christmas, more families are needing assistance and the parishioners at Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown have responded.
Devised at a meeting of the Mary, Queen of the Family Parish social justice group in 2021, Mary’s Pantry provides basic household goods for those doing it tough, with support from Blacktown Ponds Lions Club and St Patrick’s Primary School Blacktown.
“We are seeing a 20 per cent increase in the need for our services,” says Jude Besterwitch, president of the social justice group.
Mary’s Pantry averages about 40 clients a month and has distributed over 750 hampers to over 240 families.
With statistics showing 18 per cent of Blacktown mortgage holders are paying 30 per cent of their income on mortgage repayments, people are feeling the effects of rising interest rates, rent hikes, and job losses due to COVID. Women fleeing domestic violence and other vulnerable groups including people with disabilities and people sleeping rough on our streets are also reflected in who needs help through the pantry.
“We are a little worried because we are finding that the volume of groceries we receive on our food drives is coming down,” Jude explains.
He described how the service came to be. “As a group we felt we needed to seek Christ in each other.
“With Fr Regie’s [Fr Reginaldo Lavilla MSP, Parish Priest of Mary, Queen of the Family Parish] help, we contacted Blacktown Ponds Lions Club who started conducting food drives for us.
“All the groceries and toiletries we have distributed since we started have been donated.”
The packages are tailored to peoples’ cultures and cater for any food intolerances. Extra groceries are given to larger families.
Volunteers Terri Sebastian (left) and Pat Regan pack grocery bags with the basics in Mary’s Pantry, an initiative of Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
No questions asked
Unlike some other agencies that require detailed paperwork from its clients, Mary’s Pantry only asks for some form of identification for auditing purposes.
“We are aware there is a big power imbalance between our volunteers and patrons, so we take steps to mitigate it,” Jude says.
“We smile, welcome. We offer to help carry and pack their car. All of this helps start conversations. If they are comfortable, they tell us what’s happening in their lives.”
People can drop off or pick up groceries anonymously as well.
Meet the volunteers
Mary’s Pantry is run by Terri Sebastian, who ran the free weekly Blacktown One Meal service before COVID hit.
“It has always been my dream to help people,” she says, smiling.
She is one of about 20 dedicated volunteers at Mary’s Pantry, many of them retirees.
At 89, Patricia Regan, a parishioner since 1958, is the oldest volunteer. “It’s lovely to meet the people,” she says. Despite having a heart attack two years ago, followed closely by cataract surgery, the sprightly and talkative octogenarian volunteers twice a month at Mary’s Pantry.
Both ladies also volunteer at Mary’s Café where, on Wednesdays, locals can come together for homemade morning tea at the parish.
Lend a hand
Volunteers and donations are always welcome.
In the lead up to Christmas, Christmas puddings, fruit and mince pies, juice and cola, tinned meat, chocolates, Christmas lollies and $25 Coles and Woolworths gift cards will be gratefully accepted.
Drop donations into Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown.
Mary’s Pantry
Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 1pm.
Mary’s Café
Wednesdays from 9.30am until people leave.
St Patrick’s Church, 51-59 Allawah Street, Blacktown.
Isabell Petrinic is a freelance writer
This article was originally published in the 2022 Advent | Summer 2022 edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can pick up your copy of the magazine in parishes and offices across the Diocese of Parramatta now or you can read the digital version here.
