CROWN POINT – God’s Groceries is part of Martha and Mary Ministries at St. Mary in Crown Point. The pantry opened in June 2008. It started assisting just 12 families and now serves approximately 130 families per month.
A six-member board oversees the ministry, which averages ten volunteers each Friday to fill the bags and about twelve volunteers each Saturday to bring the groceries to its clients’ vehicles. Everyone who volunteers for the pantry goes through Virtus training because there are some younger children who also help.
Elaine Hein and her husband, Donald, have been involved with God’s Groceries since 2012 when she was asked to join the pantry leadership team in 2012.
Three years ago, a new leadership team formed, and things began to change as those involved with God’s Groceries amped up their efforts. The ministry began increasing the amount of food it was giving out. It currently uses a two-car garage for its operations and decided to expand, moving into a second two-car garage soon.
Hein called the volunteers she works with “the most welcoming group.” She also noted that everyone is invited to receive assistance without restrictions.
“Our families are such a great group of people,” she said. “People who come know we care.”
Hein explained half of the families who come to God’s Groceries are residents of Crown Point. She shared they serve many people on fixed incomes, whether they are on Social Security or disability. The food pantry tries to fill their bags with food they can use while living alone. It also gives out “breakfast bags,” which contain a juice box, a piece of fruit, Rice Krispie treat, a granola bar and mini muffins to each person in the car.
“I have so many great memories of people who have hugged me and thanked me for the food we give them because they can’t stretch their food dollar far enough,” Hein said.
Susan Kerr became involved with God’s Groceries ministry at St. Mary in the fall of 2023. She desired to volunteer more of her time to the parish but didn’t always feel “Catholic” enough to be a worthy representative of our parish community. One day she happened to be chatting in a group of parishioners that included Hein, the director of God’s Groceries.
“She instantly put me at ease and encouraged me to participate in the ministry,” she said. “Everyone is welcome in this valuable ministry.”
Kerr said God’s Groceries is an extremely rewarding ministry. While she acknowledged the labor can be taxing – she believes everyone should witness the bag packing on the third Friday of each month.
“It’s labor intensive, but plenty of laughs,” she said. “However, there are plenty of areas of this ministry that are not as taxing.”
Kerr has seen an incredible amount of generosity displayed not just from St. Mary parishioners, but from the Crown Point community as well. She noted that twice a year, the ministry sets up a donation site outside of Strack and VanTil on Franciscan Drive.
“Shoppers are reaching for their wallets before they are even sure who we represent,” she said. “I’ve become more generous after witnessing this – sort of a loaves and fishes moment.”
Kerr shared that Aunt Millies’ Bread corporate office has generously donated 100+ loaves of bread each month. She also stated that the parish and school community are tremendous supporters, from food drives to students helping on grocery distribution days.”
“It should be noted that Elaine is a master bargain hunter,” Kerr added. “We definitely get our money’s worth.”
The group recites a prayer before every activity to remind themselves of the basic human dignity everyone has been bestowed.
“This creates such a calming outlook for me, no matter how many cars are lined up,” Kerr said. “We have all established relationships with our recipient families and look forward to seeing them and checking in on their welfare.”
The parish volunteers through God’s Groceries give a balance of shelf-stable protein, fruit, veggies and grains to its patrons. Bread and eggs are also included. The pantry is open the third Saturday of each month from 8-10 a.m. For more information or to donate, visit https://stmarycp.org/gods-groceries.
“We could use everyone’s prayers that we can meet families’ needs as the need grows,” Hein said.
