Did you have food left over after dinner last night?

“Leftovers” is a common household word in our culture. But leftovers are rarely found in developing countries.

Every scrap of food that can be used goes into soup in Franciscan soup kitchens around the world.

People from African villages wait in line at the Franciscan centers to receive enough flour, sugar and oil to last for one week. Village people walk for miles to the nearest clinic hoping to find a doctor who will give them the medicine that they need, if there is any.

Ironically, some people hate leftovers, and others need them to live. How much daily bread does someone need?

A person needs at least one square meal a day, safe drinking water, adequate clothing and shelter. For the desperately poor, anything more than that is considered a luxury.

Every day, Jesus sees people in desperate need who rummage through garbage piles seeking things that can be used. They find discarded blankets to keep them warm, cans containing left over food, shoes that may or may not fit their bare feet, and glasses that might help their poor eyesight.

St. Anthony became known for his extraordinary love for the poor, which he often expressed by feeding the hungry. For centuries, “St. Anthony’s Bread” has been the term used for offerings made in response to God’s call to serve the poor.

In honor of St. Anthony, I am asking you to answer the call to serve the poor and to share some of the blessings you have in your life with people who have far less.

Will you join with us and share some of your “daily bread” with thousands of people living in abject poverty at the missions? Many are sick, others are malnourished and suffering life-threatening illnesses. All are at risk.

Will you reach out with us to provide food and water to refugees trapped in the ruin and rubble of the war in Syria and South Sudan?

Friar Ibrahim reports that every month in Syria, our friars distribute food to over 4,600 families and nonfood items to an additional 620 families. The monthly food basket consists of beans, oil, rice, eggs, meat, jam and milk. Each basket costs about $50!

Will you help us feed orphaned children cared for by Franciscans in the missions?

Your gift today will help feed the children at Merciful Father Orphanage and the Mustard Seed School for handicapped, orphaned children in Uganda. Father Agapitus Mubangizi, OFM and Giorgio Scarpioni, the director of both programs, report that it costs about $25 a month to feed one of the children in Merciful Father Orphanage and it costs about $70 a month to feed one of the handicapped children because of the extra time and care needed.

Your gift will also help Father Miro, Father Peter and Father Florentius make sure the children get two meals a day and some porridge in the morning. These friars care for the orphans at St. Anthony’s Small Home in the remote region of Lower Subukia, Kenya.

Franciscan missionaries are blessed to carry God’s love to the poor in the missions. If God has blessed your life, please consider sharing some of your bread with those who have none.

St. Anthony is beloved throughout the world and is responsive to all people and all needs. His intercessory powers through our God are awesome. In honor of St. Anthony of Padua, we will have a special Novena of Masses in June.

Please select the ‘Donate’ button below to make your donation. We will remember your personal intentions in a Novena of Masses in honor of our beloved St. Anthony.

God is giving you the opportunity to make an even greater difference in partnership with Franciscan missionaries. Please respond to this need today. What a gift you give to God by opening your heart so generously to the poor and sharing some of your “leftovers.”

In the spirit of St. Anthony, thank you for sharing your bread with the poor.

Gratefully yours in Christ and St. Anthony,

Brother Andrew Brophy, OFM

Executive Director

P.S. Our missionaries are blessed to carry Christ’s love to the poor. But it isYOU who send the friars forth through your prayers and generosity! Please know that we pray for our friends and benefactors every day and together, we deliver hope.

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