Pope Francis has repeatedly challenged all of us to leave the comfort of our homes, rectories, sacristies and offices and encounter those in need. For the Pope, those "in need" are those searching for the basic necessities of life as well as those searching for meaning and human fellowship in their lives. In addition to the ways Saint Mark Parish already supports parishioners and neighbors, we are happy to respond to Pope Francis' call with the founding of The Kilian Cupboard, initially offering Food Pantry and Fellowship Dinner ministries. The Kilian Cupboard is a ministry and outreach of Saint Mark Parish, Saint Vincent De Paul (Saint Kilian Conference), and the Knights of Columbus Saint Kilian Council #14807.
For more information on The Kilian Cupboard or to volunteer, please call Saint Mark Parish at 724.625.1665 x.2108 or email us at [email protected].
HISTORY
In the Fall of 2013, Saint Kilian Parish, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society (Saint Kilian Council) and the Knights of Columbus (Saint Kilian Conference) opened the doors to the Kilian Cupboard as an outreach to the community and as a direct response to Pope Francis's exhortation to "go out into the margins."
This ministry is not in any way a fundraising effort or a means to increase the parish community and consists of Fellowship Dinners and a Food Pantry Service. This project also provides direct community service opportunities for families, parishioners and other local individuals looking for a way to help their immediate community.
The operation of the Food Pantry and the Fellowship Dinners operate under separate organizational structures and work forces and are separate ministries of the outreach ministry of The Kilian Cupboard. These services are provided to anyone who may benefit from them. There are no "strings" (such as mandatory prayers, Bible readings during meals, etc.) - any evangelization will be Spirit-filled outgrowth from the service itself.
Location
The Kilian Cupboard is located at Clark and Cherry Streets inside the former Saint Kilian Church (GPS: 205 Clark Street, Mars, PA).
The Kilian Cupboard Food Pantry is not a Food Bank and therefore not supported by any government affiliated agency. Rather, this is a ministry providing food to assist neighbors in need according to established guidelines. The Kilian Cupboard Food Pantry operates on the generosity of parishioners and friends and is led by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Saint Kilian Conference.
The Food Pantry is open each Wednesday from 2:30pm – 5:00pm and is located at 205 Clark Street, Mars, PA 16046 in the former Saint Kilian Church building.
Additional Information:
Kilian Cupboard Fellowship Dinners provide simple meals once a week for anyone wishing to attend. If you are in need of fellowship, a good meal or simply would like to join us for dinner, you are more than welcome! Dinner is served on Wednesday evenings from 5:00pm - 6:00pm at the Saint Kilian Fellowship Hall located at Clark and Cherry Street in Mars.
These dinners are provided by the generosity of volunteers, parishioners and friends. There are no strings attached, no speeches to listen to and no evangelization. Rather, dinner is served and enjoyed in the fellowship of volunteers and their families. The Saint Mark Parish nursing ministry will be on hand to provide health information and blood pressure screening as requested.
Kilian Care is a new sub-ministry of the Kilian Cupboard orgnaized and run by teenage parishioners of Saint Mark Parish and North Catholic High School students that provides new and lightly used cosmetics and personal care items to those shopping at our Food Pantry or attending a Fellowship Dinner.
We are Looking for Donations - What's In Your Bathroom Cabinets?
As we all know, beauty and personal care products can get expensive, and it's a shame to throw away something you didn't personally love or need when someone else in need in our community could be enjoying it!
Beginning April 6, new and gently used products can be placed in the gray collection baskets at both North Catholic High School and at Saint Kilian Church (in the vestibule by the Food Pantry collection shelves). Our teen volunteers will collect the items, ensure they meet our safety requirements (below) and clean those spouts, sharpen those eyeliner pencils, and give everything a sanitizing alcohol swipe before distribution to the Kilian Cupboard ministries.
Thank you for donating and helping others in our community feel clean, confident and well put together! If you have questions about Kilian Care or would like to get involved, please contact our teens at [email protected].
It takes many people, time and donated items to run the Kilian Cupboard and serve the many families in need that visit us weekly. Please note that all volunteers 18 years and older are required to have clearances. To check on clearance status or for help obtaining your clearances, please contact Jo Scheller at [email protected].
Click on the links below for this week's donation wish list and other ways to help.
Food Pantry Donations and Current Wish List ItemsThis week we are most in need of the following items listed below. Donations may be left in the Saint Kilian Church Vestibule located at 7076 Franklin Road in Cranberry.
Volunteer opportunities are now online. On the online sign up form, you are able to view all volunteer opportunities, read a job description of each see what dates and times help is needed and pick your spots.
We invite you to click here to sign up for your assignment today!
2023 Fellowhips Dinners
What's In Your Bathroom Cabinets?
As we all know, beauty and personal care products can get expensive, and it's a shame to throw away something you didn't personally love or need when someone else in our community could be enjoying it! Donations can be dropped off in the labeled gray baskets at both North Catholic High School and at Saint Kilian Parish Church in the vestibule by the Food Pantry collection shelves. Please follow the guidelines below when making your donation:
We Can't Do it Without You!
Volunteer opportunities are now online, hosted through Volunteer Spot. On the Volunteer Spot website, you are able to view all volunteer opportunities, read a job description of each (also listed below), see what dates and times help is needed and pick your spots. We invite you to click here to sign up for your assignment today!
Job Descriptions
We are in need of volunteers to assist with our weekly Fellowship Dinners. Volunteer opportunities are now online. On the online sign up form, you are able to view all volunteer opportunities, read a job description of each see what dates and times help is needed and pick your spots.
We invite you to click here to sign up for your assignment today!
2023 Fellowship Dinners