The Bam Story

In early 2012, BVM Queen of Peace parishioner Jim Conrad had a theory that
his church could somehow “feed the hungry” in the parish. He knew about an
occasional food collection program designed to provide basics in Maryland, so he
based his “bag of food” contents on their suggested items. His vision that the basics of
the suggested contents of a bag of food would help families for a short period of time
provided the incentive for the “Bag-a-Month” food collection program to “Feed the
Hungry”.

The recommended contents of a food bag consist of 2 cans of tuna, 2 cans of
vegetable soup, 1 jar of spaghetti sauce,1 pound of spaghetti, 2 packages of macaroni
and cheese, 2 cans of green vegetables, 1 can of fruit, 1 jar of peanut butter, 1 box of
powdered milk, 2 cans of baked beans, and 1 box of unsweetened cereal. The cost to
fill a bag of these items is estimated at $25-$33. You can also donate online.

This program is unique in that it not only suggests food donations but also provides wonderful reusable canvas bags for parishioners who are interested and willing to donate, to fill. The bags are available at collection sites at Queen of Peace and St. Veronica churches on the first FULL weekend of each month. BAM volunteers help retrieve and carry bags brought to collection sites.

The BAM program supports three local food pantries that serve the parish.

They were selected using the following criteria:

1. They must operate under county/state/or local governmental control;
2. They are non-denominational;
3. They serve the area of this parish. Therefore, all donations stay within the parish limits and assist local families.

Bags and money are distributed on a regular ongoing schedule. Money collected is allocated equitably based upon the number of families served. Monetary donations to the pantries are used to purchase fresh food, vegetables, meats, eggs, and dairy products. ALL money collected goes to the pantries: BAM has no administrative deductions.

Since the first food distribution on 9/1/12, BAM has provided more than $200,000 and TONS of food to its participating pantries.