THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, volunteers at Mission Basilica parish’s food pantry are finding plenty of joy in giving back.
High school students Chloe, Emma, Bella and Natalie spent their Saturday morning volunteering at Serra’s Pantry. Photos by Mike Vulpo
While the volunteer-run ministry in San Juan Capistrano is dedicated to serving the physical and social needs of individuals and working families all year round, the men and women leading the pantry give extra thanks and blessings during Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.
“The holiday season is a joyous time for a lot of different reasons,” Serra’s Pantry director David Bordages told Orange County Catholic. “Our pantry is very joyous because of so many people and organizations that want to give, and we’re blessed to have them want to give to us. Why do they want to give to us? Because they see what we do, and they see the people we serve and it’s really hands-on service.”
Volunteers Jim Cook and Hal Metzner prepare food items for guests visiting Serra’s Pantry.
Becky Metzner and her group of volunteers help deliver food to nearly 75 families every Saturday at Serra’s Pantry.
Available three days a week, Serra’s Pantry opens its doors on the campus of Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano to provide food to the needy. Donations come from area merchants through the “grocery rescue” service. The pantry also receives generous food donations from area churches, businesses, schools, social clubs, youth groups and caring individuals who contribute nonperishable food and cash gifts.
“We’re serving on average about 75 different families each day,” Bordages shared. “A family can come to the pantry once a week. In the summer, it falls off a bit. The average might be 60. In the holiday period, we’ve had some days where we’ve had more than 90 families come through.”
When Thanksgiving approaches, Serra’s Pantry tries to donate nearly 200 turkeys to families in need thanks to the generosity of local organizations.
In December, the ministry also hosts an Advent Christmas party where nearly 150 families can celebrate the holidays with toys, food meal boxes and a visit from Santa.
“The Christmas parties are amazing because many of these families aren’t able to give gifts to their kids,” Becky Metzner, who serves as the food pantry’s coordinator and leader for Saturday’s distribution days, explained to Orange County Catholic. “I’ve had multiple moms say, ‘These are the only gifts my kids are going to get.’ That in itself is what we do and what we should do.”
While Bordages has been working at the food pantry for many years, he is quick to give credit to Metzner and other managers including Steve Rosen and Victor Quagliero for making the pantry a helpful ministry for so many families in need.
Although the coronavirus pandemic caused an increase in visitors utilizing the pantry, Bordages said the need for assistance hasn’t slowed down.
“There is no question that we’re serving more families than we have in the past,” he explained. “We’re actually helping people in need and doing something to help improve their lives. It’ll help you with your food budget, particularly given the cost of food these days. If you can get extra assistance every week, it really makes a difference in a family’s budget.”
No matter how busy food distribution days get, both Bordages and Metzner are grateful for all of the volunteers who generously step up to help. From drivers picking up food donations at eight neighboring stores every week to high school students distributing food on their days off from class, the team effort does not go unnoticed by both guests and leaders.
“We are the hands and feet of Christ,” Bordages shared. “If something is going to get done, it’s going to be done by people who are able and willing to devote the time and energy to it and knowing what the result is. We have tremendous volunteers who have been with us for a while. I’ve been doing it for almost 14 years. It speaks very well of the Church’s mission.”
Metzner added, “We’re feeding our brothers and sisters. By the grace of God, I’m lucky enough not to need help. I feel everybody has an obligation to serve those less fortunate than themselves in some fashion. We should always give back to the world. It would be a kinder place if we did.”
As the holidays inch closer and closer, the leaders of Serra’s Pantry invite people to volunteer and meet community members who may need some assistance. Financial donations are also welcome and guaranteed to go directly to critically needed items that don’t always get donated.
When asked to share her favorite part about volunteering, Metzner didn’t hesitate to praise the families she serves.
“I have thought about cutting back often because I’m here every Saturday, but it’s the people and serving the people and the families of our community,” she said. “I’m a comforting face to them. I really think the continuity of being here and our volunteers being very welcoming to everybody here is helpful. We’re all a family.”
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