
A Show of Faith
Two Boca-based religious organizations band together to help the needy
Assisting at-risk members of the community had been a cornerstone of the benevolent work done by St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in east Boca Raton. One of its longtime ministries, Meals with Meaning, serves meals six days a week in St. Gregory’s parking lot.
But as the pandemic weighed heavily on people in need—and created more individuals seeking assistance—St. Gregory’s and another faith-based organization joined forces to provide an additional service. The church is collaborating with B’nai Torah Congregation’s Tzedakah, Learning and Chesed program to offer a mobile shower station, available Tuesdays and Thursdays (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at St. Gregory’s (100 NE Mizner Blvd.).
CareBag Inc., a nonprofit based in Port St. Lucie that specializes in mobile hygiene for the needy, provided the mobile shower unit. Those who access the mobile shower also can select from a variety of donations—including toiletries, clothes, towels and more—that are available in a small pantry.
Gena Vallee, director of Meals with Meaning and outreach coordinator at St. Gregory’s, recently told the Sun Sentinel that these new partnerships speak to a larger truth. “The connection with B’nai Torah and CareBag Inc. is not just a partnership; it is a family coming together,” Vallee said. “Just as one might find distant relatives that they never knew they had, we are discovering that our family goes beyond our church walls. … This growing family is an example of what a community can and should look like.”
frank papandrea
Posted at 19:11h, 16 Februarythank you Meals with Meaning for helping our community
Steve Lederman
Posted at 19:57h, 16 FebruaryWonderful!
Gary Press
Posted at 20:20h, 16 FebruaryTogether we can accomplish anything. I hope our politicians understand this.
Kevin Kaminski
Posted at 22:58h, 16 FebruarySuch a warm and benevolent gesture — and a much-appreciated service for at-risk individuals and people in need during the pandemic.
Michelle Simon
Posted at 00:26h, 17 FebruaryAnd breaking down church walls. Feels good.
Keren Moros
Posted at 19:16h, 18 FebruaryI love seeing people get together to support their communities!