Divine Mercy Missions Launches Monthly Pizza Outreach in Sault Ste. Marie

Beginning on January 7, 2024, and continuing on the first Sunday of each month for eight months, Divine Mercy Missions has initiated a free pizza outreach program for individuals in need in Sault Ste. Marie. This effort aims to provide meals and warmth to vulnerable residents in the city, marking the first of eight sessions to be held outside the Save our Young Adults (SOYA) depot on Gore Street.

Operation Mercy Relief Kicks Off

The outreach, named Operation Mercy Relief, is part of a broader initiative by Divine Mercy Missions, which has operated in Sault Ste. Marie for several years. Volunteers from various Catholic churches in the area have joined forces to serve pizza, coffee, and hot chocolate from a trailer, offering not just food but also a sense of community. “We try to go around to the food banks and places like SOYA and just try to help them whatever way we can,” said Claudette Breton, the organizer of the trailer.

As the initiative continues through June, volunteers will distribute not only food but also winter clothing essentials like warm gloves, hats, and jackets. Some of the hats are store-bought, while others have been hand-knitted by members of Our Lady of Good Council. “The people are blessed with the food or the coats or the mitts or the gloves, but we’re blessed because we’re able to see the joy in their faces,” Breton shared.

Offering Hope and Community Connection

The primary goal of this outreach is to provide hope to those facing food insecurity. Volunteer Joe Ruscio emphasized the importance of this connection. “For a lot of people on the streets, there is no hope,” he noted. In addition to the monthly pizza distribution, Divine Mercy Missions also offers a free meal to the community on the last Sunday of each month at Our Lady of Good Council, with plans for additional outreach locations to be announced.

The organization maintains a non-intrusive approach regarding religious beliefs, offering ‘prayer packets’ to those who express interest. “It’s not our job to change people. We’re just there to make the introduction,” Breton stated. She mentioned instances where people have asked for prayers, highlighting the personal connections formed during these interactions. “One lady said to me, ‘I haven’t been touched by anyone in years.’ They don’t feel that touch of fellowship, and that’s when it becomes a real blessing for us,” Breton reflected.

Although SOYA is closed on Sundays, volunteers from the organization assist in the outreach efforts, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the initiative. Connie Raynor-Elliott, the founder of SOYA, remarked on the significance of this program: “The once-a-month Sunday pizza and refreshments will help address food insecurity at an important time, because many street-level agencies do not operate on that day of the week.” Raynor-Elliott further praised Divine Mercy Missions for their long-standing commitment to serving the community, especially with their annual free Christmas meal at SOYA.

As Divine Mercy Missions continues its outreach, the organization hopes to raise awareness of its services and foster connections within the community, providing not just food but also a renewed sense of hope for many individuals facing hardships.