Barely a month after the Frederick Foundation contacted Catholic Charities Brooklyn Queens wishing to donate $150,000 to parish-based food pantries, Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez stood in St. Helen Church, Howard Beach, ready to give out 76 checks, each addressed to a different parish, to help feed struggling New Yorkers.

“You are the front line,” Bishop Sanchez told representatives of parish food pantries from throughout the diocese. “You are the face of Christ to the people who come to you.”

He was speaking to a diverse group of volunteers of small food pantries that rely on the generosity of others to keep their operations going. Twenty of the participating food pantries are in association with the Catholic Charities food pantry network.

Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, pastor of St. Helen parish and diocesan vicar for human services, said that upon receiving the news from the Frederick Foundation, Catholic Charities sent a letter to every parish in the diocese. He said that it is impressive that nearly half the parishes applied for and received money in this effort.

“It is a very positive sign that there is so much outreach in the diocese,” he said. “It manifests the spirit that Pope Francis is projecting that the Church should be reaching out to the poor, providing assistance and aid.”

Msgr. LoPinto said the grant came during an opportune time. Many families struggle during the summer months when school. There is also less assistance available as organizations slow down their efforts during the vacation season.

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Among those who benefited from the Frederick Foundation grants, was the pantry from Holy Family, Flushing. Officially, this pantry is open every second Saturday of the month. However, David Dolan, who runs the program, said that exceptions are made. Food is also distributed when there is a need and at times even delivered if the person in need cannot come to the church.

“If there is a hungry mouth, I want to know about it,” Dolan said.

Lynn Maldonado from Most Precious Blood parish, Bath Beach, said her parish’s pantry tries to help people get to the next paycheck. Therefore, they are scheduled to be open on the second and fourth week of the month, when many people are struggling. She said the pantry is meant to be a supplementary service, providing people with the basic necessities, including pasta and sauce; a protein such as tuna fish; and a breakfast food such as cereal or pancake mix.

Maldonado said that the pantry has had some close calls. She said at times she comes in on Sunday and there is hardly any food. However, by the time the pantry opens there is almost always enough food to go around. She attributed this to grace. She also said the clergy at the parish had assured her that she can come to them for help if there is a real danger that the pantry would have to cease operation. Only once in seven years did the pantry run out of food an hour before closing.

She said the money from the Frederick Foundation will be used in the same way as the influx of donations is used during the holiday season: to buy more protein.

“On Christmas, everyone gets tuna,” Maldonado said.

At the Our Lady of Mercy-Our Lady of Presentation parish food pantry, the grant money will be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. The Brownsville pantry is open twice a week thanks in part to a partnership with United Way. It services about 200 people per week.

The pantry is located next to shelters, and as such, the need in the area is great.

“I have 11 very innovative volunteers,” said Beatrice Brown, who started with the pantry in 1995, upon her retirement. “They do it all. We do not have anyone on staff.”

John Bittner, the vice president of the Frederick Foundation, came to the presentation ceremony to personally recognize the efforts of these Christians.

“I appreciate your volunteering spirit,” he said. “I am humbled by it.”

Bishop Sanchez also expressed his gratitude to the volunteers for taking care of Jesus’ brothers and sisters.

“Thank you for looking them in the eye,” he said. “Thank you for knowing them by name. Thank you for feeding them.”

The Frederick Foundation Ltd. exists to provide assistance to encourage and support those entities involved in the teaching and practice of the virtues embodied in the work of St. Vincent de Paul, according to its mission statement. Bittner, executive director of the diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society, said the organization will work to continue its efforts to support the pantries in the fall.

In addition to the assistance the Frederick Foundation provided to the pantries, it also awarded an educational grant to the Missionaries of Charity, to support their summer programs for at-risk youth, and one to the Catherine Laboure School for special needs children.

The Catherine Laboure Special Education Program received $40,000, which it will use to offer a tuition-free summer program for students.

“It really is a Godsend,” said Jaime Cobham, the president of the department of education, Diocese of Brooklyn. “It allows [students] to have fun activities that are educational.”

He said that for many students, especially those with educational disadvantages, the summer is a time of regression in academics. This program will help them be better prepared for September.

Margaret Sacca, the executive director for the Catherine Laboure Program, said about half of the students in the program have signed up for the summer program. Some of the students were unable to participate because their parents could not arrange transportation to and from the school.

She said the funds have given the program an extraordinary amount of freedom. Free from state funding restrictions, the program is able to help the students with life and social skills, such as preparing their own snacks. They will also have more time for music and movement.

“They don’t have the opportunity to go outside and play, like other kids do,” Sacca said. Therefore, this program will help the students simply enjoy the summer more.

“We couldn’t be more grateful,” the executive director said. “When you have nothing the day before and then you have $40,000, you’d be surprised how much you can do.”