Feeding ministries
Mustard seed soup kitchen
The Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen of Worcester, Massachusetts, provides a hot meal for those in need. Each day of each month, parishes from the Worcester County area prepare and serve a meal to nearly 200 homeless and needy people of all ages. St. Francis has participated in this ministry for more than 10 years.
On the second Wednesday of each month, teams of volunteers shop, prepare, cook, and serve this dinner.
​
Volunteers always needed
Shopping
We will provide you a list of ingredients required to cook the Mustard Seed dinner. Groceries can be purchased the week before the meal is prepared and drop off at St. Francis. We are seeking volunteers to spend 2 hours max. shopping–four times per year.
Serving
Pick up prepared dinner and desserts at St. Francis at
4:15 p.m. and serve dinner at the Mustard Seed. 2 hour time commitment. Servers rotate every 3-4 months.
Baking
Bake desserts for the meal and drop off at St. Francis by 4:15 p.m.
Dismas FAmily farm
Located in Oakham, Massachusetts serves the former prisoner population Dismas House specializes in. The program provides vocational training and job related skill development. St. Francis has been a part of this program since 2009.
On the fourth Wednesday of each month volunteers shop for groceries and then work with the residents to prepare, serve and eat a meal.
Once a month parishioners and friends prepare a hearty and nutritious lunch for the residents and staff of Abby’s House. We then serve and sit down with the women to share the meal. In the cold months we serve hot casseroles and quiche. In the summer the menu turns to salads and sandwiches of all varieties. Abby’s House has served women since 1976. The main residence at 52 High Street has been recently renovated. We enjoy working in a brand new kitchen and a lovely dining space. Abby’s House is a nonprofit organization, providing shelter and affordable housing, as well as advocacy and support services, to homeless, battered, and low-income women, with or without children. One of the residents simply said, “Abby’s saved my life."