Brown Bag Ministry
Vision and Mission of the Brown Bag Ministry 
The primary Mission of the Brown Bag Ministry is to reach out to those in need. We seek to address the needs of the homeless and the hungry by preparing and distributing brown bag lunches on a bi-weekly basis to an identified community area in Durham, NC. Our mission, and our activities adhere to the spirit of both the Parish Mission Statement and the mission of The Franciscan Coalition for Justice and Peace.
The Mission and Vision of the Brown Bag Ministry at St. Francis of Assisi is closely aligned to the Mission and Vision of this ministry at its founding parish St. Andrews in Apex, NC.
We are excited that this ministry has found its way to St Francis of Assisi!
For more information and pictures from our preparation and distribution, please visit our website www.stfrancisraleighbbm.org
Description of the Ministry
- Designed for all ages in a family to participate (or non married singles).
- Covers multiple aspects of ministry: family participation, feeding poor, communal prayer, face to face contact with the poor/needy.
- Zero cost to St. Francis, only need space (a room) and volunteers.
- St. Andrews has a needy community now in Durham (low income apartment complex) who need to be served. Total: 85 mouths to feed.
- Many types of youth-based parish/non-parish groups can easily participate (Youth Group, Y-Guides, Scouts, etc.).
How it works at St. Francis
- Two Saturdays a month, the two families to serve go to buy (BJ’s) supplies to fill 85 brown bag lunches (sandwich, fruit, granola bar, PB crackers, desert/cookie). Cost to each family about $30.
- Each family makes sandwiches at home on Friday night OR make them at the parish (TBD).
- On Saturday morning at 9AM, both families come to designated room at St. Francis to put 85 brown bag lunches together.
- Families load 85 lunches into their cars.
- Families go into SFA Chapel for a quick scripture reading and prayer focused on serving the poor (5-10 min) led by Ministry Leader
- Families drive Brown Bags to Durham and distribute lunches to poor in a common area (parking lot).
- Whole endeavor lasts about 2 hrs.
- In two weeks, repeat the process.
- Note: this can increase to every Saturday if there is sufficient interest from parishioner volunteers.
Ministry Leader: Rich Zemonek 919-349-7962
