Immaculata High School students lend a helping hand in Phillipsburg

Special Contributor

On South Main St. in Phillipsburg, the Catholic Charities-run food pantry and thrift store are in the business of feeding the hungry and clothing those in need. The people who staff the operations, a mix of employees and volunteers, said that while their work is personally fulfilling, it also fulfills some of the corporal works of mercy. 

Open five days a week, Monday through Friday, the thrift store and food pantry work hand in hand to assist individuals and families suffering from food insecurity, also outfitting them with essentials like bedding, weather-appropriate clothing and job interview attire.

Recently, the thrift store and food pantry had some special volunteers drop by from Immaculata High School, Somerville, to assist in carrying out these works of mercy. 

“Catholic Charities was blessed to welcome eight students from Immaculata High School at the Social Service Center,” said Sister Michaelita Popovice, program director for Warren Basic Material Needs. “I was impressed by their desire to help in the food pantry and thrift store.”

Every year Immaculata High School has a student retreat day for ninth-11th grades. While freshmen and sophomores were on Immaculata campus doing a day of spiritual development, juniors were at one of 19 different sites doing some kind of service work. They were able to choose preferences based on location and type of work. Two of the student groups chose the Catholic Charities Food Pantry and Thrift Store. Those students were Lorenzo Armao, Tyler Braun, Francis Campomanes, Darian Cirinelli, Tyler Kasper, Vito Marcogliese, James Roccanova, and Frederick Saraceno-Mitchell. They were accompanied by staff members James Dimino and Rich Grieshaber.
 
“I volunteered at the thrift store, although I didn’t directly work with any customers. They were very thankful for our help,” says Frederick.

Tasks that Immaculata students undertook within the Catholic Charities Thrift shop included sorting donations, general cleaning: washing windows, dusting, vacuuming as well as observing customers and their most-sought-after items during these challenging economic times. In the food pantry under the same roof, the students filled grocery carts full of non-perishable food items for the families who showed for their monthly appointments – despite a cold March morning with a biting wind and sleet which marked their morning three-hour shift. 

“One of the families that came into the social service center were currently homeless,” Immaculata staff member Rich Grieshaber said. “It’s important for students to take what they’re learning in the theology classroom as juniors and both apply that and witness that during this mandatory class day in the field of reality.”

If you are in need of assistance and can benefit from the help of the food pantry and thrift store – services offered through the Warren Basic Material Needs Program – please call the staff at 908-859-5447. If you would like to make a donation, please visit 383 South Main St., Phillipsburg, where donations of usable and functional articles are graciously accepted during regular store hours. Clothing should be tear, rip and stain free. Small appliances must be in complete working condition with no needed repairs.

There are many ways to volunteer with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen. We urge those who are interested to please visit https://ccdom.org/volunteer for those opportunities. 

To volunteer specifically at the Phillipsburg thrift store and food pantry in Phillipsburg. Contact Maria Hunter at 732-387-1315 or [email protected] to learn more about how you can contribute.

For more information about Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen, please visit ccdom.org. LIKE & Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @ccdom1 to stay updated on upcoming events and ways we help clients get the services and assistance they need.

Workman is the Communications Specialist in the Office of Communications and Public Relations