By Jesse Kucewicz, Contributing Writer
MARLBOROUGH – The Saint Vincent de Paul church in Marlborough raised a record high $22,596 for Marlborough residents in need at its annual “Friends of the Poor Walk” on Sept. 25.
After hosting a virtual walk last year, dozens of church members and others from the Marlborough community assembled at Immaculate Conception School’s Meehan Hall. After saying a prayer, the participants started what was a three mile walk on the Assabet River Rail Trail.
Peter Militello, one of the walk’s organizers, said that the money raised from local businesses and individuals will be put directly back into their community.
“Homelessness, people needing food and utility help, people who are out of work, it’s a big issue in our city,” Militello said. “This is a way for us as Catholics to bring the message of Jesus out to people and help them in that way.
“We help people regardless of their religion, race, social standing, we help everyone who is in need in the city of Marlborough,” he continued.
Saint Vincent de Paul collaborates with other community agencies to help provide support and guidance for those in need. The South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), a community-based anti-poverty agency aimed at providing a safety net for individuals and families, is one such organization that the church frequently works with.
“We provide not only financial help, but a lot of times the people that we help just need information,” Militello said. “…They need connections to other social services, so we help them with that as well.
“A lot of times, once people connect with those agencies, then they are on their way; they can help themselves because somebody is there to help them,” Minitello continued.
