Aquebogue News: Please donate food, clothing to local churches

I wrote about this in my prior column but it’s worth mentioning again. Ash Wednesday Lenten Worship Services will be held at local churches at 7 p.m. beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, and continuing through Good Friday, March 25.

The services will feature various pastors speaking from the local church communities. One of the events is a play, which will be held at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead on March 16. For a schedule of services and more information, visit oldsteeplecommunitychurch.org/events–news.html or call St. John’s Rectory office, 631-727-2030, or Old Steeple Community Church, 631-722-3070.

While we had a pretty mild winter through December, it is turning out to be quite the winter for January and February. Please remember those less fortunate in our area as people struggle for basic needs such as food, housing and heating their homes. Many of the local churches offer outreaches to help those in need.

Help is needed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church’s food pantry. If you can give one hour per month, call Linda Ryan at 631-334-1069. The pantry is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Donations of non-perishable food items including pastas, canned goods and healthy snacks are always welcomed. Arrangements for church dropoff can be made by calling 631-722-4000, ext. 12, or by placing food in the shopping cart located in the narthex during Sunday morning worship services.

Living Water Church in Aquebogue sponsors Joseph’s Storehouse, a vital local outreach that helps people in need of food and clothing. If you would like to help by donating food, clothing, or time, or you would like to make a financial donation, call 631-722-4969, ext. 202, or email [email protected].

Maureen’s Haven Homeless Outreach utilizes many local churches to house and feed the homeless on the East End from November through the end of March. For more information on this outreach and/or to find out how you can help the local churches to provide these services, visit maureenshaven.org, call 631-727-6831, or email [email protected].

I know I’m not very popular in holding this opinion, but I really love the snow! To me it’s much prettier to look at the soft white world of winter than to face gray, cold days. Spring is truly around the corner, so enjoy the snow for now. Have a great week!

Contact Aquebogue columnist Eileen Benthal at [email protected] or 833-1897.