It’s not just for Veterans Day that the youth in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral are honoring servicemen and women and their families.

Building upon an effort that began last year when the food bank at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was damaged by mold, the Freehold parish’s youth are continuing to bring in donations for families.

“The need is year-round, so we are hoping in bringing awareness, other groups will get inspired to take up collections at other times of the year to continue the flow of items,” said Jeanne Marinello, youth ministry coordinator.

Teens in the youth ministry recently oversaw a parish-wide food drive, an effort that grew to include the teens’ individual high schools. For example, Emily Merlucci, a junior in St. John Vianney High School, got permission to take up a collection at the Holmdel school. And Liz Mays of Freehold Township High School and Kristina Henis at Manalapan High School both got collections approved that will take place at each school’s Battle of the Classes. 

Not long before Thanksgiving, Marinello and fellow parishioner Maureen Fasano, who was instrumental in highlighting the Joint Base’s plight, delivered the collected items.

“As we were unloading our vehicles, four families came into food bank in need of items. They were so grateful to have a place to go,” Marinello said. “It was heartwarming to see this project come together to help those who sacrifice so much for us every day.”