Lent is traditionally a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and students at three Catholic schools in Erie have been especially faithful to almsgiving this year, offering generously to the guests of Emmaus Ministries.

Children at two local elementary schools, Blessed Sacrament School and St. Luke School, took up collections to donate to Emmaus. At Blessed Sacrament, a donation of $143.95 came through a “Casual Day” fundraiser, in which students who gave to Emmaus Soup Kitchen could dress out of uniform. Linda Fusco, SSJ, a teacher at Blessed Sacrament, wrote, “On behalf of everyone here at BSS, thank you for all you and your many volunteers do."

Mrs. Cynthia Stormer, who teaches fourth grade at St. Luke School, sent $125 from her class of nine and ten year olds. “We hope this will provide many meals for those in need,” she wrote. 

Students at Mercyhurst Preparatory School collected 700 cans of soup for the Emmaus Food Pantry. Conor Amendola, a twelfth grader and President of Student Council, led the drive, which was a part of National Soup It Forward Day, an annual event held on March 3 in which people are encouraged to spread love and generosity through a hot bowl of soup. Students who donated at least two cans of soup were rewarded with being able to wear jeans to school for the day. Sarah Sweet, the Student Council Treasurer, said that the best part of the drive was being able to personally deliver the cans of soup to the food pantry, along with Conor and Ben Greissinger, the Student Council Vice President.

These students have taken to heart the message of Isaiah 58, one of the Scripture passages often read in Lent, which says, “Is this not the fast I choose… to loose the chains of injustice, to share your food with the hungry?”

Photo: (L-R) Brenda Karlinchak, assistant principal; Conor, Sister Valerie Luckey (Emmaus Ministry Assistant), Sarah, and Ben stand with canned soup donations

Below: Conor and Sarah unload donations