The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is teaming up with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Knights of Columbus to provide support for those struggling during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The new ministry, Hearts to Serve, launches Tuesday, March 24. Anyone can call the hotline 855-423-6780, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, and volunteers will connect callers with local resources for food and household necessities. Drivers are available to deliver supplies to homes and parish-based food pantries. Hearts to Serve will also work to help those who have lost their jobs or find themselves unable to pay for basic needs.
For anyone struggling with loneliness under LA’s “safer in place” directive, Hearts to Serve will also provide critical human contact, including prayer, conversation, and resources for support.
“Pope Francis continues to call our Catholic community to be missionary disciples, to go out and serve those in need with the love of Jesus. At this time when we cannot be physically present to one another, it becomes increasingly important to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ in all of the ways that are possible,” said Kathleen Domingo, senior director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace. “This is the time for Catholics to imagine a new way to build community. Personal, small acts of love and service take on great significance for people who are homebound and in need.”
To meet the needs of the community, the Archdiocese is asking people to consider volunteering their time and talents in this new ministry, whether they are answering calls for the hotline from their own homes, or delivering supplies to the homebound. Volunteers are also needed to stock and work at parish food pantries.
