The St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Manteca gave away more than 300 food boxes for needy families at Thanksgiving. They expect to distribute just as many again this Christmas.
The philanthropic organization, which is run independently from the parish and is comprised of all volunteer staff, holds only one fund-raising event during the year to help them continue their work of helping the needy not only during Thanksgiving and Christmas but throughout the year. That lone fund-raising event – an “omelet eggstravaganza – is taking place on Sunday from 8 a.m. until noon in the St. Anthony School gymnasium at the corner of Fremont Avenue and Sutter Street. Donation for each ticket is $8 for adults; $4 for children age 10 and younger. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
The meal itself is a treat. Guests pick the ingredients they want included in their omelet from a smorgasbord of ingredients. Then they go to one of the dozen or so volunteer cooks – comprised of St. Vincent de Paul volunteers – and watch while their omelet is cooked. One of the cooks is Pete Padron, a former president of the group. He always stands out during this eggstravaganza because he always come wearing a Santa hat.
Something new this year – there will be biscuits and gravy added to the usual trimmings that include bread rolls, butter, orange juice, and coffee.
“It’s a wonderful breakfast,” said Margaret Sciaroni, current president of St. Vincent de Paul, but there are people who want something else than the usual fare.
Another departure from previous years’ regular offering will be the raffle drawing. Instead of giving away donated prizes, they will have a 50-50 raffle instead. That means half of the raffle ticket sales will go to the lucky winner, with the other half going to the organization.
In conjunction with the omelet breakfast will be the annual bake sale sponsored by members of the St. Anthony YLI (Young Ladies Institute). Visitors will have an opportunity to purchase fresh-baked pies and other goodies while they enjoy their breakfast.
St. Vincent de Paul Society is supported by the parishioners of St. Anthony. Collections are taken during Masses at every fifth Sunday of the month during the year to benefit the organization. These are augmented by donations from generous groups, families, and individuals in the community. Student of St. Anthony of Padua School also help fund-raise especially during the Christmas season when they hold food drives for the needy.
Donations are always welcome, monetary or otherwise. For the Christmas food giveaway, donations of turkey or ham or chicken – “for people who live alone and they don’t want a whole turkey or ham,” Sciaroni said – and other non-perishables are always welcome. Donations may be brought to the St. Vincent de Paul Society office next to the church during regular business hours which is Monday to Friday from 1 to 3:45 p.m.
For more information on how to help St. Vincent de Paul Society, call Margaret Sciaroni at 209.823.2649.