Giving a Helping Hand in Rockford

St. Anthony of Padua Church in Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois has been having a tough go of it since the 1980s when the city’s manufacturing sector declined. The city nevertheless continues to maintain a tradition of giving to those people who have hit a rough patch in life. Rockford’s St. Anthony of Padua Church – a Conventual Franciscan Parish since 1933 with Friar Anthony Labedis as pastor – has a particularly strong tradition of giving. For a long time it has asked those parishioners who can contribute non-perishable food items to do so once a month.

Rockford has had a lot of problems with its economy

When the economic crisis in the United States deepened, a need developed for more food donations. St. Anthony’s parishioners have responded in kind. Amongst Franciscans it is common knowledge that humanity is united. We are all brothers and sisters and must therefore take care of one another.

Food donations help those in need