Putting Almsgiving into Action
August 6, 2025
Food Truck Volunteers Reflect on Feeding the Hungry
A muggy mid-summer morning: many people would consider this the perfect opportunity to sleep in or enjoy a leisurely breakfast in air-conditioned comfort. Instead, early on Wednesday, July 16, a total of 77 volunteers gathered at Assumption Parish to put almsgiving into action through our annual food truck outreach. Before lunch, the team of volunteers had unloaded, divided, and distributed over 8,000 pounds of food, plus bags of personal care items, to nearly 100 households.
What inspires these volunteers to undertake such a task every year? Read below as some of our volunteers share why they serve:
A Family Favorite
Helping with the food truck has become a family tradition for Katie and Matt L. and their three children, Ben, Jacoby, and Hailey (ages 13, 10, and 6). After several years of participation, the two oldest siblings consider the event one of their favorite summer activities.
“They actually talk about the food truck throughout the year and look forward to it as part of their summer,” shares Katie. “As soon as it is announced at Mass, they make sure we sign up to help!”
The family is always looking for ways to serve others throughout the year and participates in initiatives at the parish such as Sharing Tree and monthly food pantry collections. However, what makes the food truck special is that the family is able to witness their impact in person.
“The food truck gives the kids a very tangible way to help those who are less fortunate than us,” says Katie. “It really leaves an impression on them to be able to see the people they are assisting.”
Thank you to Katie, Matt, Ben, Jacoby, and Hailey! We’re so grateful to have your family on our volunteer team!
A Personal Touch
Parishioner Marlene S. has volunteered for Assumption’s food truck program since it began in 2018. While the truck provides food, Marlene focuses on another important need: personal care items.
Just before each distribution, the parish holds a collection of hygiene items and cleaning products, which Marlene organizes into bags to share with those who come for food. She finds the job relaxing and feels abundantly rewarded when she sees the happiness of those who receive the donated items.
“I enjoy doing it, and I am grateful to our Lord for giving me the opportunity to help others,” reflects Marlene. “It isn’t hard work when I think about how blessed we are. God is good all the time!”
We are very blessed to have such a caring heart on our volunteer team! Thank you, Marlene!
Serving for the Summer
During the winter, Ann and Joe S. head south to escape the snow, but their summer is filled with service at Assumption Parish. Over the years, they’ve come to adopt the food truck as their annual service project. They now act as on-site managers of the distribution, a job that includes coordinating about 80 volunteers each year.
The couple appreciates that these volunteer roles offer parishioners of all ages an opportunity to serve. “There’s something for everyone to do,” describes Ann. “Even younger children and older adults can lend a hand, whether it’s getting food out of boxes and crates, loading carts, or putting the groceries into vehicles in line.”
For Ann and Joe, volunteering with the food truck is how they answer God’s call to care for those in need. “We are told to feed the hungry and take care of our neighbors,” Ann simply explains. “We don’t think about it; we just do it, because that’s what we’re asked to do.”
What a generous response to the Gospel message. Thank you, Ann and Joe!