Second Sundays Food & Clothing Drive

St. Monica is still teaming up with Westside Food Bank every second Sunday of the month to fight hunger and food insecurity with our monthly Loaves and Fishes Food Drives. Westside Food Bank is a great community organization that provides food to individuals and to over 70 local agencies that serve people in need.  Help us keep pantries filled with nutritious food for individuals and families.

Food Insecurity is Real!

We have been reminded by the Westside Food Bank that there is still tremendous need for food locally. Local households are struggling to make ends meet with inflation increasing the costs for food and other basic needs as pandemic emergency relief programs have come to a close. Families struggle to provide meals for their children during the school year, especially on weekends. 31% of children in Westside Food Bank's service area live in low-income, working families that spend more than 70% of their income on housing.

This is how you can help:

SECOND SUNDAYS! We also accept clothing items for the St. Robert Center. More information here. 

By supporting our monthly Food Drive the Second Sunday of every month. All donated food is delivered to the Westside Food Bank the following Monday.

-Cereal (hot or cold)
-Juice
-Pasta

-Pasta sauce (in plastic jars)
-Snack bars (granola or protein)

The Westside Food Bank has specifically requested these items because they are difficult or more expensive to buy in bulk.

Other food items welcome:

-Canned fruit, vegetables, meats and seafoods

-Canned soups and stews

-Canned beans

-Peanut butter and Jelly

-Rice

-Packaged seeds and nuts

Bring your donations from 7 a.m. to Noon to the Grand Pavilion patio. You can also look for our blue, yellow & white donation boxes on the parish plant or bring them to the Parish Reception area!

Make sure donated food items are not expired, past “use by” or “sell by” date.

You Can Also Donate Online!

During the COVID lockdown, when we were unable to donate in-kind food donations, St. Monica, in collaboration with the Westside Food Bank, created an online link where parishioners could direct donations to the Food Bank.   Since that time, St. Monica parishioners have donated approximately $12, 231.00.  With every donated dollar, the Westside food bank can provide someone in need with enough food for four hearty meals. Donate online at  Westside Food Bank: St. Monica Loaves & Fishes  

Volunteer at a Free Meal Site

St. Monica regularly serves at two free meal sites,  St. Francis Center on Skid Row and St. Robert Center in Venice. Volunteer to help prepare and serve a meal at one of these sites at St. Robert Center December 16. For more info on both sites, visit https://stmonica.net/serve/locally/helping-the-homeless

Loaves and Fishes Team and Volunteers

The Loaves and Fishes Food Drive Team meets regularly to plan how we at St. Monica can help fight food insecurity locally. If you would like to be part of the team, please contact Delis at [email protected]

To get the word out on food insecurity and receive the Second Sunday of the month food donations the Loaves and Fishes Team hosts Coffee and Donuts on those Sundays in the morning. Volunteers are needed to set up and pick up donuts at 7am. Volunteers are then needed to serve coffee, distribute donuts and staff our Loaves and Fishes Ministry table. If you are an early riser, love smiling a lot and want to fight hunger locally contact Delis at [email protected]