For many years, it has been a tradition in our church that we ask our parish family to bring nonperishable food items on the first weekend of every month.  The Long Beach Food Pantry receives your donations each month to stock their shelves.  In November and December, St. Vincent de Paul Society uses the food to fill baskets distributed at Thanksgiving and Christmas to needy families. Both of these organizations (Long Beach Food Pantry and St. Vincent de Paul Society) do great work in our community to help the poor.  They both also accept monetary donations.  Make your check payable to the organization and drop it in the collection plate.  You can do this on the first weekend of the month or at any other time.  Please be generous in donating food and/or monetary donations.