Bishop Wester: CCS Northern Utah portrays 'Matthew 25 in action'

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester tours the Saint Martha's Baby Project room at CCS Northern Utah. At left is Maresha Bosgieter, the CCS Northern Utah volunteer/public relations coordinator.IC photo/Marie Mischel

OGDEN — Housed in an old school building rescued from condemnation, Catholic Community Services’ Northern Utah Office retains the squeaky floors and long hallways of its past, but its focus is on a brighter future for the 100 or more people who pass through its doors each day, seeking and receiving help.

On May 9, the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, toured the facility, which houses not only administrative offices but also the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank, which is the largest food pantry in the state, and a Saint Martha’s Baby Project room where layettes are assembled.

On any given day, 100 to 150 people receive a full grocery cart of food at the pantry, said Marcie Valdez, director of CCS’ Northern Utah Office; about 30 percent are disabled or elderly.

"Sometimes I’ll stand out there and I’ll just get all teary-eyed because I think about how many people make each one of those baskets possible," she told the bishop. "For 100 to 150 baskets to go out the door each day, and we’re able to do it again tomorrow and the next day because so many people donate their time or food or money. This is the perfect example of our community in action."

The CCS staff also responds to emergencies: On the day of the bishop’s visit they learned of a family that didn’t have any food in the home, so they were putting together a care basket. In addition, they stock a shelf for the homeless who don’t qualify for a food card that gives entry to the food pantry.

"You’re making a difference in people’s lives," Bishop Wester told Valdez and other CCS staff. "I am so blessed to have you doing what you’re doing. This is just fantastic. I want you to know that you have my unqualified support and prayers."

Bishop Wester said he wanted to see the operation first-hand because it would enable him to better describe the work that is done there. He has seen videos of the food bank, but this was the first time he toured the facility.

The Catholic Church is called to reach out to the poor and the needy, and "this is Matthew 25 in action," the bishop said after the tour.

During the tour, Valdez told the bishop about the many partnerships CCS has with the community, from the eight stores that participate in the grocery rescue program to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which provides at least two volunteers each day.

"This incredible community feeling" is unique to Ogden, said Valdez, who also spoke glowingly of the volunteers at CCS; each day at least 10 people donate their time at the organization.

On May 10, volunteers turned out in scores to help with the annual Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. Donations to the national food drive are collected by letter carriers, who bring the food to local post offices. In Ogden, volunteers then loaded the bags of canned food into trucks bound for the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank.

Among the volunteers were members of Youth Impact of Ogden, and others from the Northern Utah American Legion Riders out of Post 134 in Clearfield.

"My brothers and sisters decided that they wanted to come and help, so that’s why we’re here," said Kim LeRoux, the motorcycle group’s first vice president, who has been volunteering for CCS for about eight years. "Anything to help our community as a whole is part of the American Legion."

The letter-carrier food drive is the largest one-day event for CCS; donations to it and the Boy Scouts’ food drive in April keep the food pantry shelves stocked until fall, Valdez said.