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Date: 11/24/2020
ENFIELD, CT – Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Joseph’s Residence are generating donations through the use of Stop & Shop’s Giving Tag Program, a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work.
“We are so excited to get our community involved with such a small donation and a bag that will last,” said Administrator Mother Genevieve through a press release from St. Joseph’s Residence. “All funds we raise are to help care for our elderly poor right here in Enfield. We serve the elderly day and night, striving to meet their physical needs, to make them happy. We accomplish our mission together as a community.”
When a shopper purchases the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at any Stop & Shop store, they have the opportunity to direct a $1 donation to a local non-profit by using the attached Giving Tag.
Little Sisters of the Poor was founded in 1844 by Saint Jeanne Jugan – also known as Sister Mary of the Cross – during the French Revolution where there were many less fortunate individuals in northern Brittany France. Since then, Little Sisters is in 31 countries, five continents and has 25 homes in the United States. They have continued Jugan’s work, offering the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home where they are cared for and attended to with dignity.
“We take them into our home and try to surround them with as much love as possible,” said Sister Francis McKay, director of Development at St. Joseph’s Residence. “We take care of them from when they walk in. When it’s toward the end of their life, we do Hospice with them. Most of the time our residents don't die alone. There’s always a Little Sister with them holding their hand and praying with them.”
She went on to say, “A lot of the elderly want to come because they want to able to go to Mass and be with the Sisters. They want to come to a place where they feel safe and not be a burden to their family.”
Little Sisters is a Mendicant order, a lifestyle of poverty, traveling and living in urban areas for purposes of preaching, evangelization and ministry especially to the poor. They haven’t been able to be out since March. In addition to writing letters and asking for necessities, Sister McKay used to go to different Catholic churches every weekend to take up a collection.
“We have missed all of that this year,” Sister McKay replied. “We're really having a hard time making ends meet.”
Little Sisters received a call from Stop & Shop asking if they would be a part of their Giving Tag program which McKay said they were glad to do it because they go there so often.
During the year, Little Sisters had asked Stop & Shop for a grant when they were having such a hard time. The store sent the money in gift certificates so they can get hand sanitizers, toilet paper and paper goods.
“We are so grateful Stop & Shop has helped us this way,” Sister McKay added. “Even though we have been here for 48 years in Enfield, some people have never heard of us. They’ll say where are you, they drive down Route 5 all the time and don't even know we're here. We want people to know us and be able to help us.”
For more information on the Stop & Shop Giving Tag Program go to stopandshop.bags4mycause.com.
To learn more about the Little Sisters of the Poor, visit littlesistersofthepoorconnecticut.org.
Residents can donate directly to Little Sisters of the Poor St. Joseph’s Residence 1365 Enfield St. in Enfield, CT.