Martha’s Choice Marketplace, a way for needy families to select foods of their choosing at Catholic Social Services’ Montgomery County Family Service Center in Norristown, was blessed by Bishop John McIntyre on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
The food pantry preserves the dignity of patrons and fosters a welcoming environment that promotes warm relationships between patrons, staff and volunteers. It is the largest food distribution program in Montgomery County, assisting men, women and children struggling with food insecurity throughout the region.
Major benefactors of the Catholic Social Services project include the Order of Malta-Federal Association and North Penn Community Health Foundation, along with local community partners CADCOM, Cabrini College, Eastern College, Gwynedd Mercy College, Philabundance, Shoprite, Ursinus College, Villanova University, Nutritional Development Services and local Scout Troops #7155 and #369.
More than 70 volunteers serve at the pantry on a weekly basis, most from a dozen local parishes involved in the effort for years, including: Epiphany of Our Lord, St. Eleanor, St. Genevieve, St. Helena, St. Maria Goretti, St. Paul, St. Stanislaus, St. Titus, Visitation B.V.M., Mother of Divine Providence, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Francis of Assisi. (Photos by Sarah Webb)
A section is provided for children so they can choose their own food alongside their parents.
Children can also get used to shopping by using their own small carts.
Bishop John McIntyre and Joseph Sweeney, secretary of archdiocesan Catholic Human Services, review the healthy food selections of Martha’s Choice Marketplace.
Guests tour the newly blessed marketplace.
After the blessing, guests get a chance to see what Martha’s Choice Marketplace has to offer.
As the blessing was coming to an end, students from Pope John Paul II High School arrived to deliver food items the students collected for those in need.
Guests that attended the blessing tour the new marketplace.
Members of the Order of Malta contributed a grant that led to the new marketplace style of the food cupboard.
Employees of Martha’s Choice Marketplace present a Martha medallion necklace to Liz Peteraf (center), administrator of Catholic Social Services’ Montgomery County Family Service Center, Norristown.
Bishop John McIntyre blesses the newly designed Martha’s Choice Marketplace.
Bishop John McIntyre blesses the newly designed Martha’s Choice Marketplace.
Bishop John McIntyre blesses the newly designed Martha’s Choice Marketplace.
Father Harry E. McCreedy, pastor of St. Paul Parish in Norristown, on the campus of which Martha’s Choice Marketplace is located, hangs a crucifix in the entry way for all to see.
Bishop John McIntyre leads the prayers of blessing for Martha’s Choice Marketplace.
Joseph Sweeney and Anne Ayella of Nutritional Development Services tour Martha’s Choice Marketplace.
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God bless all that contributed to this great cause.