A Place of Nourishment and Community
For the Feast of St. Francis (October 4) in the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, Yesmil Pena, a third-order Franciscan who founded the St. Phillip Neri Table food bank at St. Phillip Neri Parish, discusses this ministry and its impact on the local community.
1. How did your Franciscan spirituality inspire you to start St. Phillip Neri Table and how does it sustain you in this ministry now?
Becoming a Secular Franciscan ignited in me a desire to do something concrete with my faith. St. Francis of Assisi teaches us not to love the poor from a distance, but to draw close to people, encounter them and recognize their dignity. St. Philip Neri Table was an answer to a need that could no longer be ignored, especially during the pandemic when business closures, job losses and reduced purchasing power left many families struggling. In that reality, there was room for a simple and resounding “yes” to the call and to our Secular Franciscan Rule: “to observe the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi.”
That same spirituality sustains us today. Food may bring someone through the door, but encounter, fraternity and dignity are at the heart of the ministry.
2. How has this ministry impacted your parish and neighbourhood?
One of the most beautiful developments has been seeing the ministry become part of parish life. Our Capuchin Franciscan friars have supported it from the beginning, while parishioners and volunteers have embraced everything from donating and sorting food to unloading deliveries, registering families and welcoming people each Saturday.
Today, St. Philip Neri Table serves more than 250 families in a typical week, as well as individuals needing assistance. Because many return regularly, relationships develop. We learn names, hear stories and come to know people as neighbours rather than statistics. The Table has become a place of both nourishment and community.
3. What are ways Catholics in the archdiocese can support their local parish food bank?
Start by asking the local food bank what it actually needs. Shelf-stable and culturally familiar foods are valuable, as are toiletries, diapers and baby products. Financial donations help purchase fresh foods such as milk, eggs and meat. Timing matters too. Donations often increase around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but summer can be especially difficult because giving slows while the need continues. People can also volunteer their time or support an established parish food ministry nearby.
The important thing is to recognize the need around us and respond to our neighbour with generosity and dignity.
Last year, the 2025 ShareLife Food Security Grants distributed $800,000 to 33 parishes and agencies across the archdiocese, including St. Philip Neri Table. This year, $850,000 will be distributed. If you do not have a local parish food bank, but would like to support these valuable ministries, consider donating to ShareLife at sharelife.org/donate.
