Social Ministries at St. Andrew

To learn more about Catholic Social Teaching, check out our video page. 

Click here to make a donation to our parish!

RAM House

RAM House is still in operation and serving some of the most vulnerable in the valley. Their shelter is open for those who are homeless. You do not have to be homeless to receive a meal, please go and get a meal if you are in need of a lunch.

Below is their greatest needs list:
Large container grated parmesan cheese
Any type of cheese block- sliced or shredded
Canned fruit
Fruit cocktail
Canned vegetable-large #10 cans if possible
Clean grocery (Kroger) bags
PAM spray,regular or Olive oil
24 or 40 ct. bottled water
50/55 gallon trash bags

Please drop off all donations directly at the RAM house.

Rescue Mission

One of the best ways to support the Mission is through their eBay store! Check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RescueMissionOfRoanoke/ to hear more from their CEO about their needs. 

Go to https://www.ebay.com/str/roanokerescuemission to shop now!

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

• Pallet Jack
• Men and Women’s Deodorant
• Men and Women’s Razors
• Women’s Underwear (All Sizes)
• Hair Care Products for African American Men and Women
• Dove Bar Soap (Unscented)
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Milk
• Empty Tennis Ball Cans
• Bubble Wrap (New and Used)

Commonwealth Catholic Charities and St. Francis Food Pantry
 

Backpack Program
The backpack program will resume packing in September 2022!  Thanks to everyone who has supported this ministry.  Please contact Aimee Valenzuela for more information.

Family Promise

From the Family Promise Facebook Page:
"The congregations who host the families in our shelter program for dinner and overnight are the heart of our program. We are all at our best when this compassionate community of congregations come together to support families in crisis. We have temporarily interrupted the hosting cycle because we care about the volunteers who give so much, and because we care about the families we serve, and want to keep them safe. Our current families are safely isolated and receiving alternative shelter and support. We will get through this, and our families will be back in the congregations' loving benevolence when the time is right.

To donate any time, go to: https://familypromiseroanoke.org/donate/make-a-donation/"

The Social Ministries Committee serves to support ministries that serve those in need in the Roanoke Valley.  Below are some of the ministries we sponsor.

Angel Tree Ministry

The children represented by the angels hanging on our trees in the Advent season are from Roanoke Catholic School & Community, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Hope Tree Family Services, Rescue Mission's "Teen Closet", and help meet the needs of our local community. Christmas gifts are provided to these children through this ministry. 

Backpack Program (Feeding America)

The BackPack Program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. Backpacks are filled with food that children take home and can easily prepare. St. Andrew’s fills 35 backpacks twice a month for the Academy at Bell in Roanoke. 

Crisis Aid

Persons in need frequently come to St. Andrew’s in crisis situations.  Often they need assistance with utility bills, rent/mortgage, or food and gas.  The Justice and Peace budget provides for these occasions and is distributed by the Pastoral staff as funds are available. 

Family Promise

Family Promise is a program that utilizes area churches to house homeless families a week at a time while they work to find their own home or apartment. During their stay, we provide a good meal in the evening and rooms in the church to sleep.  Currently, St. Andrew’s hosts families for 2 non-consecutive weeks per year. 

RAM House Volunteers

A group of St. Andrew’s parishioners volunteer to prepare lunch one Saturday per month from 9:30 AM to 11:00AM at Roanoke Area Ministries.  RAM House is a day shelter for those who are homeless. 

Respect Life

The Respect Life Ministry at St. Andrew’s participates in the advocacy and promotion of the Church’s teaching on issues related to protecting life from birth to natural death.  Programs include 40 Days for Life and March for Life. 

St. Francis House Food Pantry Donations

Food and other items needed by St. Francis House are collected at our weekly masses.  

Society of St. Vincent De Paul

This ministry sends members of the society, called Vincentians, out to the homes of those in need to offer prayer and financial assistance.

Viet Toc Foundation

St. Andrew’s supports the mission of The Viet Toc Foundation which aids the minority Montagnard communities in Vietnam.  We are ‘twinned’ with a local parish in Vietnam (Ayunpa) to help provide resources for education, relief services and spiritual formation. 

Budgeted Support of the Following Ministries:

RAM House, Presbyterian Community Center, Viet Toc, Meals on Wheels, St. Francis House, Catholic Charities, Roanoke Catholic School Tuition Assistance, Refugee and Immigration Services and Madonna House.