Outreach to those in need is a big part of Saint Miriam’s mission. We are a Sanctuary Parish providing safe sanctuary to anyone in need, regardless of their immigration or religious status. In addition to this, we are the home for a local Boy Scout Troop, two AA charters and their respective leadership committees. Saint Miriam is also proud to support the following local agencies and outreach programs:
Saint Miriam Blessing Bag Program
Our “Blessing Food Bags” @ Saint Miriam is an award winning outreach to the homeless and food insecure in our area. Our program extends primarily to greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and suburbs, as well as Camden, New Jersey, Wilmington and Dover, Delaware areas. Our food blessing bags are supported by grant donations and volunteer contributions and are filled with nutritious food and goodies, as well as personal care items and feminine hygiene products for female clients. We introduced these Blessing Food Bags in 2018 and the idea of having a ready bag prepared and ready to hand out to our homeless brothers and sisters was greeted with enthusiasm by the members of our parish. These bags provide a homeless person with enough food to sustain them for a few days, as well as personal care items, and allows us to help them. The bags also contains such items as granola bars, Vienna Sausages, Tuna and/or Chicken packages, water, juice, crackers, peanut butter, and cookies and personal care items, as well as a personal note from those who packed the bags for distribution.
One of the most wonderful aspects of our program is that we ask those who volunteer to take the Blessing Food Bags into the streets to also engage with the receiving individual and bring their humanity to the surface.
And, we have two tag-along bags for special needs and circumstances including females in need of feminine hygiene products and our “Pets with People Bags” for currently homeless persons with pets to care for!
How You Can Help:
Help us Shop with Amazon.smile!
On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) you will simply need to select a charitable organization, like Saint Miriam, to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. They will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to our parish and school! It really is that simple!
“Scarfs with a Purpose” @ Saint Miriam!
We have teamed with Sacred Spaces to distribute newly created homemade scarfs from our wonderful Prayer Shawl Ministry Group for homeless persons in our area! Our warm, made with love, scarfs will be going to those who need warmth the most! Please support this new ministry by donating materials or making a generous donation or joining the group and helping make wonderful strength-giving knitted items for those in need of some pastoral care! Join the group, or simply purchase a few scarfs and drop them off to our collection in the Betsy and Walter Diener Room this season!
Laurel House
Laurel House offers supportive programs and services to those impacted by domestic violence. The Women of Saint Miriam support the women of Laurel House by collecting and donating personal items (underwear and toiletries for women and clothing and items for babies and children). These items provide dignity and support to help women and children build a safe, violence-free life.
Women's Libraries at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility
The parish community, under the guidance of The Women of Saint Miriam, also collect paperback books for the men’s and Women’s Libraries at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. The books help inmates access recreational books, popular fiction and non-fiction, as well as reference, self-help, inspirational and educational resources.
Recovery International
Recovery International gives people the tools to lead more peaceful and productive lives.
Join the thousands upon thousands of people who have used Recovery International self-help groups to change their lives for the better. Recovery International offers a cognitive behavioral training method developed by the late neuro psychiatrist Dr. Abraham A. Low. For over 75 years this method has helped members learn to identify and manage negative thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviors that can lead to emotional distress and related physical symptoms.
This small group meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm in the Betsy and Walter Diener Room.
Car Safe Program
We opened our lower parking lot to help those people living within their cars by providing them a “Safe Car Space.” The program is simple: The car-resident registers at the Administration doors, complete a brief questionnaire to ensure our safety, and get a Blessing Bag and support services. They are able to stay overnight from 8pm – 7am as well as receive a referral to more permanent housing solutions! Registration occurs daily between 6:30pm and 7:00pm and no registrations can take place after 8:00pm.