The Social Concerns Committee is a ministry within St. Leo Parish focused on serving the needy of our community. This is done through various events to benefit those who are hungry, in need of clothing, sick, lonely, or displaced. Social Concerns events should:
- Encourage parishioners to join and feel a strong sense of gratitude in the St. Leo community while giving of their time, talent and/or treasure.
- Benefit the greatest number of recipients.
- Be effectively communicated both internally and externally.
Upcoming Spring Events:
Recyclables Drive – We will be collecting plastic bottles and cans. They will be redeemed and the proceeds will be used to purchase T-shirts for the New Covenant Center. April 22 launch – June 14 collection 9:00 am-11:00 am in back parking lot of church.
Malta House Baby Bottle Drive – We will be handing out baby bottles in the church vestibule and we ask parishioners to fill them with spare change. Proceeds will be used to create “Welcome Baskets” for mothers and children at the Malta House in Norwalk. Starts May 11, Mother’s Day. Ends June 15 – Father’s Day. Bottles may be returned to the church vestibule any Sunday during that period.
Hope in Motion Talent Night – Parishioners and clergy will perform to fundraise for the Hope-in-Motion Bennett Cancer Walk. Donations requested. May 31 at 6:30 pm in Parish Hall
Hope in Motion Bennett Cancer Walk – Join the St. Leo Crusaders Team for the event on Sunday, June 8 at 10 am.
Ways to get involved:
- Donate food, clothing, gifts, or blood to our various events.
- Join the Social Concerns Committee to help plan events.
- Volunteer to help at specific events.
For more information:
- Contact Carol Kennedy at cjkennedy@optonline.net, or
- Sign up for Social Concerns communication on Flocknote
EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
New Covenant Center (NCC) Food Drives – Done twice annually, once during Lent and once in the Fall. Parishioners donate bags of food and paper goods to stock the New Covenant Center, which is our local food pantry. The NCC truck always drives away loaded with food from our generous parishioners!
New Covenant Center Thanksgiving Meal – Parishioners sign-up in advance and donate cooked turkeys (25-30), side dishes, beverages, and desserts. St. Leo volunteers prepare the meal, decorate the soup kitchen, and serve approximately 150 delicious meals on Thanksgiving Day.
Christmas Wish Tree – Parishioners donate gifts, gift cards and toiletries to benefit local organizations. In 2023, over 1600 gifts were donated with an approximate value of over $20,000. We support:
Seniors – SilverSource and The Villa of Stamford
Mental Health Services – Laurel House, Stamford
Pregnant and parenting mothers – Malta House, Norwalk
Needy children – Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC), ROSCCO after school program
Homeless – New Covenant Center
Clothing Drives – Winter and summer clothes, shoes and linens are donated each year by Parishioners to benefit The Father English Community Center in Paterson, NJ (part of Catholic Charities). In 2023, a huge U-Haul truck was filled with our donations.
Blood Drive – New this year, parishioners participated in a blood drive in March to benefit the CT Blood Center. Parishioners donated 31 units of whole blood, giving the CT Blood Center the ability to save up to 93 lives!
Breakfast Bar Drives – Parishioners donate breakfast bars to help the Catholic schools of Bridgeport, CT, and other needy organizations. In 2023, we collected 4,000 breakfast bars for St. Raphael Academy, part of Catholic Academy of Bridgeport, to help feed hungry children.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!