Sponsored by the Men's Club, the Muffin People are a group of parishioners who collect day-old baked goods and food donations from local bakeries and supermarkets to help feed the hungry in Oakland. The group meets on the last Thursday of every other month at 7 a.m.
For 19 years, a group of volunteers (33) from St. Monica Catholic Church in Moraga have been picking up food set aside daily by several stores, including Lunardi’s, Safeway, Starbucks and Trader Joe’s. The food is delivered daily to several Oakland agencies that serve the needs of the poor, including:
- A Friendly Place/Manor….a drop in center and residence run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet for homeless women. Bathing, laundry, and telephone facilities are provided, as well as the donated food.
- St. Mary’s Center….a multi-service center for the poor and homeless in downtown Oakland. The services include daily drop in food service, weekly food bags, dinners twice a week, day care and winter time shelter and food for homeless people, and help in obtaining available public services
- St. Mary’s Gardens….a residential center for the elderly who are in need of supplementary food.
- The Mary Ann Wright Foundation….a daily distribution of food is made to poor people who come to the warehouse in the West Oakland neighborhood. Donated food and clothing is also sent to disaster areas here and abroad.
- St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room….a free dining room that daily serves a hot meal to about 750 poor and homeless people in downtown Oakland.
The presence of the Muffin People is well known in the very poor sections of Oakland that we serve. We sense a deep feeling of gratitude from the recipients for the food received. Kind donations are the essence of our effort and we work diligently to deliver the donations.
If you would like further information on joining the group please contact Jack Dice at (925) 376 - 7189.