Thanksgiving Day is almost here. For many of us it’s a day of gratitude we will enjoy with family and friends. For the Franciscan Friars, Thanksgiving Day in our ministries that serve the poor and hungry, will be one of the busiest days of the year- actually, every day is a busy one. People are surprised when I tell them that we serve over 2 million people each year with the basic necessities of food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and counseling. We have been doing this for over 100 years and we have never turned anyone away.

It seems to me, that I often take what I consider the basic necessities of life ford granted. There are so many people who don’t have toilet paper, underwear, socks or even food on this Thanksgiving holiday when we recall our gratitude for all that we have. Maybe together we can tackle this problem. How about this year instead of shopping for ourselves, CHARITY SHOP for others? All you have to do is shop online with our friars by visiting our Franciscan Store and page through our Charity Catalog and shop for the poor! You can fill your cart with the basic items needed by the people we serve at our Inn, breadline, food centers and residences. Homelessness and hunger is on the ride and each day men, women, children – whole families – come to the friars looking for warm meals or asking for any available undergarments or clothing. We have a major shortage for basic necessities and now that winter is approaching the friars are getting concerned about meeting the needs of those who come to us.

So, ultimately we must rely on the generosity of people like you who want to reach out and give a helping hand to so many who don’t have the “basic necessities of life” that we have. We need your help now. Please go to the Franciscan Store and Charity Shop for those who have so little and need so much. From our table to yours, thank you for helping us be even more thankful this Thanksgiving.

Fr. David Convertino, OFM
Director of FriarWorks