Archbishop Nelson Pérez was recently at Father Judge for a service initiative that served as the keystone event for the celebration of Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Students from 29 schools packaged 1,500 care bags with non-perishable items for individuals served by Martha’s Choice. Handwritten notes with prayerful encouragement were included in the bags.
Perez was joined by officials from the archdiocese and the Norristown-based Martha’s Choice food pantry. Father Judge senior Bobby Clark, who has received an appointment to West Point, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Participating schools included Judge, Archbishop Ryan, St. Hubert, Little Flower, St. Dominic, Maternity BVM, St. Jerome, St. Anselm, Christ the King, St. Martha, St. Matthew, Blessed Trinity, Our Lady of Calvary, St. Albert the Great and Presentation BVM.
The bags consisted of pretzels, raisins, applesauce, nutri-grain bars, sunflower kernels, toothpaste, toothbrush and more.
“It can be the difference between making ends meet at the end of the month,“ said Eli Wenger, director of operations at Martha’s Choice. ••
