Metro Catholic Outreach (MCO) provides a food pantry, call center for referrals and assistance, and emergency financial assistance to those in need in our area. MCO is a collaborative project of the 11 Catholic parishes in the Cedar Rapids metro area. As part of this collaboration, each parish is holding a special fundraiser for one month of the year. St. Jude Church will hold our fundraiser in March, with a special focus on the weekend of March 8/9. Members of our Social Justice Committee will be present after all Masses the weekend of March 9/10 to give more information about MCO and their needs. Then, donations will be accepted the following weekend of March 8/9.

On average, MCO provides food and basic necessities at no cost to over 500 people each week. No income qualifiers are required for those in need. These necessities come in the form of three main groupings:
      1. Food Box: $75 | Food items and household necessities, such as toilet paper.
      2. Homeless Bags: $6 | Easy open complete meals, snacks, plastic silverware,
           and simple hygiene items.
      3. School Backpack Bags: $15 | Kid friendly snacks and other needs for students.
The Social Justice Committee asks you to consider donating the cost of a Food Box, Homeless Bag, or School Bag during the fundraiser to help those in need in our community. Donations of food, personal, or household items are also welcome. Any contribution, even a single item, can make a significant impact to the MCO food pantry. We appreciate the generosity and effort of each person.

For more information about MCO, the needs of the community, and how you can help,
 please visit metrocatholicoutreach.org/donate.