More information about St. Anthony's Kitchen

Greetings from St. Anthony’s Kitchen,

It’s a beautiful day here in Negril :) Thanks to all for your interest in our mission to help the poor in this area.

Mary Gate of Heaven (Catholic Church) has several Outreach Programs:

Vincent De Paul
Each month, through our St. Vincent de Paul fund, we distribute 40 food baskets to elderly poor and shut-ins in Negril. We also assist the elderly and others with medical and prescription needs.

St. Anthony’s Kitchen
St. Anthony’s Kitchen was founded in April 2010 to serve the hungry poor in Negril. The Kitchen is open five days a week and serves an average of 120 meals a day. The staff consists of several paid employees and volunteers from the local community as well as visitors to Negril.

Get Kids to School Program
Responding to large numbers of children eating at the Kitchen when they should be in school, Mary Gate of Heaven and the Franciscan Friars began collaboration with the children’s parents and the Rotary Club of Negril. With the help of the Rotary Club of Grapevine, Texas, USA, a new Toyota Hiace was donated and serves as a school bus (when not a school bus it is a church bus). A grant from the Franciscan Friars in Western Canada and contributions from benefactors assists 36 children to go to school every day after eating breakfast at St. Anthony’s Kitchen. Get Kids to School program began in September 2011.


Get Kids Registered
Get Kids Registered flowed out of GKTS, assisting children and parents in obtaining birth certificates and other necessary documents.

St. Anthony’s Thrift Shop
Using a spare room next to the Kitchen, gen-tly used clothing is sold to the poor at a small price

There are several ways you can help:

1. Volunteer your time
2. Bring items needed when you next visit Negril
3. Contributions can be sent to Mary Gate of Heaven Church or to the Franciscan
Friars in Cincinnati.

A very special thanks to the Franciscan Friars for ensuring that 100% of your contribution goes to the Jamaican mission.

* US citizens: please note that to get a tax deduction, send your donation to the Franciscan Friars in Cincinnati (check, phone, or online).

Mail:
Send a check or credit card information to:
Franciscan Friars FriarWorks / Ministry & Mission
1615 Vine St. Cincinnati
Ohio 45202-6492
* Indicate your intention for the gift (state which program)

Credit Card—Online:
Go to: www.franciscan.org
Select the Donate tab.
In the comment box indicate your intention for the use of the gift.

Credit Card—Phone:
Call: 1-513-721-4700, ext. 3218

Contact Information:
Fr. James Bok, O.F.M.
Norman Manley Blvd.
P.O. Box 2564
Negril, Westmoreland
Jamaica , West Indies

Phone: (876) 957-4900
Fax: (876) 957-4625
E-mail: mgh@franciscan.org

Coming Soon - Join us on Facebook!

I played basketball for the Friars Club in Cincinnati as a kid growing up! It was a great place for us city kids to have a place to play and stay out of trouble! It's nice to know that their good work has reached Jamaica...what a small world! I will definately take time to help out....respect :)

Wow, working with the parents to get their kids to school is a great success! The program has really grown since I volunteered there a couple years ago. Congratulations!

Workign with the mothers to gt kids to school has been inportant to us. Ms. Joan (wife of the president of Rotary and a Rotarian herself) is the real energy behind this effort. It's a wonderful collabortion. --Fr. Jim

Attachment 22580
Here are some of the children from St. Anthony's Soup Kitchen...Don from Bounce about Jamaica donated the balls and uniforms
Attachment 22581
Here is a picture of the school bus
Attachment 22582
Father Jim Bok and a few of the children who use the school bus
Attachment 22583
Some of the Volunteers and Staff who help at the St. Anthony's Kitchen

As I write this 15 children are having breakfast at St. Anthony's Kitchen and preparing ot board the Get Kids to School bus for their daily trip to Mt. Airly All Age School. While they are heading off to school some 30 other children will stop by for breakfast. The bus will return and carry another load to Negril All Age. One of the students, a 12 year old girl, could not read and write two years ago. Yesterday she got word that she passed her 4th grade English and math exams--an incredible accomplishment for this little girl. Her desire to learn and the involvement of a whole host of good people helped this to happen. Congratulations, Theresa! --Fr.. Jim

wow thats so awesome!! can we bring in some clothes to donate when we come??? itll be mostly girls clothes but well have a few different sizes..

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Originally Posted by butch

I played basketball for the Friars Club in Cincinnati as a kid growing up! It was a great place for us city kids to have a place to play and stay out of trouble! It's nice to know that their good work has reached Jamaica...what a small world! I will definately take time to help out....respect :)

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hello butch,

this is wonderful news! and yes, what a small world! pls stop by the church and speak with Fr. Jim or give him a call to discuss how you can help. Safe travels!

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Originally Posted by Lola

Wow, working with the parents to get their kids to school is a great success! The program has really grown since I volunteered there a couple years ago. Congratulations!

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Thanks for the congrat's Lola :) yes things sure have come a long way due to so many wonderful people helping. try to stop by the kichen when yr here next :)

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Originally Posted by St. Anthony's Kitchen

Workign with the mothers to gt kids to school has been inportant to us. Ms. Joan (wife of the president of Rotary and a Rotarian herself) is the real energy behind this effort. It's a wonderful collabortion. --Fr. Jim

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totally agree! BIG UP Ms. Joan for all her hard work and efforts!

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Originally Posted by Moonlight Villa

Attachment 22580
Here are some of the children from St. Anthony's Soup Kitchen...Don from Bounce about Jamaica donated the balls and uniforms
Attachment 22581
Here is a picture of the school bus
Attachment 22582
Father Jim Bok and a few of the children who use the school bus
Attachment 22583
Some of the Volunteers and Staff who help at the St. Anthony's Kitchen

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thanks for all the great pictures!

Where is the soup kitchen located, I always think to come by, and am not sure where it is.

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Originally Posted by 541lion

wow thats so awesome!! can we bring in some clothes to donate when we come??? itll be mostly girls clothes but well have a few different sizes..

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thanks for the offer 541lion! yes pls do bring clothes, the thrift shop can use them for those less fortunate, bring whatever you can, it will be greatly appreciated! should u have any further questions on what to bring, u can contact Fr. Jim via this board, email or phone :)

thanks we will for sure.. the plan is to take a suit case filled with things to donate and then fill it back up with things we get in jamaica to bring back... so before i leave iam gonna ask a few people i know if they have anything to donate and that waay we would have a nice little package for the youth dem

this is wonderful father jim! patty and i are looking forward to seeing you next week to discuss how we might help out and our long terms plans around same. Indiana Butch, do you own a place at PV by chance? Are you going to be in Negril next week as well similar to last year?

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Originally Posted by poolguywindsor

Where is the soup kitchen located, I always think to come by, and am not sure where it is.

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it is on the road on the way to sav....it is across from or beside a gas station...prob about 2 miles from roundabout, maybe less...alikkle past the police station and car, taxi park....on the left hand side going toward sav....but dont blink or you will miss it....I think you know fast car from bb, he took us there...

Good to know, walking distance for me.

Big ups to St Anthony's! Many thanks for Deb for getting us hooked up to them. It is a regular "tour" on our trips now.

We have had great joy and wonderful times in Jamaica, and it is great to give back to the real people of Jamaica and our beloved Negril!

Many thanks to Velma & Miss Pearl, who we probably hindered more than helped! :) Bless Fr. Jim, even though Sebena thinks he needs a leash (but that is for his own safety scuba diving ... he is pretty good solo on terra firma!)

Monday is an awesome guy! Talk to him while you are there! He rocks!

Cant wait to go back and help some more! Who is next?

Now. THAT is a real trip to Negril!!!!!

Bless you all

Maggie and Gary

We met Steven adn Karin at Negril.com and then met them in person. They read about The Kitchen and wanted to do something. They came to visit and brought along some clothes and flip-flops. Thanks for the kindness! The Kitchen depends on such kindness! Hope you are enjoying our beautiful Island and The Capital of Casual! God bless you both! --Fr. Jim

Father Jim,
Can you give us a list of needed items? Money? Food? clothes? Shoes? Office items?

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Originally Posted by Jim-Donna

Father Jim,
Can you give us a list of needed items? Money? Food? clothes? Shoes? Office items?

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thank you for asking some of the items we need are
Underwear and sox's for the children
Money is always good as we use it for books, uniforms, lunches, gas for the school bus, shoes and anything else to send a child to school. This week we spent money on
medicine for some children so they can get well and return to school.
the money is also used to buy supplies for the Soup Kitchen to feed the hungry
Used clothing for children...
Reading and Mathematics books for the children to work out of Kindergarten to Grade 6 are really needed. What we do not use we give to the reading program at Negril All Ages.
I hope this helps and blessings for helping...

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Originally Posted by Moonlight Villa

thank you for asking some of the items we need are
Underwear and sox's for the children
Money is always good as we use it for books, uniforms, lunches, gas for the school bus, shoes and anything else to send a child to school. This week we spent money on
medicine for some children so they can get well and return to school.
the money is also used to buy supplies for the Soup Kitchen to feed the hungry
Used clothing for children...Reading and Mathematics books for the children to work out of Kindergarten to Grade 6 are really needed. What we do not use we give to the reading program at Negril All Ages.
I hope this helps and blessings for helping...

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Dear Jim and Donna, thanks for the request for information. Our friend, Debbie, got to you before I did and she pretty well covered the needs. Anything you bring can be dropped off at Mary Gate of Heaven Church (Beach Road just across from Coco La Palm) or at The Kitchen (Mon - Fri between 6:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.). Bottom line--we are feeing the hungry, clothing the naked and education children. We can use just about anything that helps those things to happen. If you'd like to colnteer some time let me know. No problem mon! Peace and all good to you. --Fr. Jim

fr. Jim
Could you please send me a pm I have a couple of questions for you. We are coming down next Monday and would like to bring down some clothes for the kids and possibly helping out at the soup kitchen while we are down.
Thank you
Nick and Grace

We have purchased som clothes for the kids but have a question. Do we need to declare this when arriving at MBJ.will we need any paperwork stating the clothes are donations for St. Anthony's kids.
Nick

Vikman, I have never declared anything I have taken down and in Nov. I was very Heavy with composition notebooks, many school supplies and holiday gift items. I have been asked what is in my bags, but by the time I get to the customs line I am so tired, sweaty, etc I think they look at the "fat old lady" and want her out of the line as fast as possible. I do spread the items through out all my luggage. Since you said "we" it should be easier to do than just a single traveling.

I am so happy Fr. Jim is finally on this forum and the willingness for all to help.

blessings

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Originally Posted by vikman

We have purchased som clothes for the kids but have a question. Do we need to declare this when arriving at MBJ.will we need any paperwork stating the clothes are donations for St. Anthony's kids.
Nick

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I was wondering the same thing. Our trip in December we have double the luggage allowance, so I'm hoping to bring an old suitcase full of goodies...

Miss G got this email from a friend from Marsh Creek country club:

A ????? Is it easy to deposit a check in a bank in Negril.
Reason why I'm asking...........We'd been going to that little catholic church close to sweptaway and the priest there is from Cincin. and knows my cousins.....found that out a while ago. We've been slipping him some cash whenever we go there.
Just got word that a 52 yr. old cousin of mine (sister of the one cousin that Fr. Bok knows) died suddenly in cincin.
Family is asking for donations to be sent to Franciscan Friars in Cin. in her memory..........and they'll pass onto Fr. Bok in Jam.
If I sent a check direct to Fr. Bok in Jamaica ( I have address) would he have a problem chasing it, etc.
Hope all's well with you.......hope to see you sometime soon............XXX xxxxxxxx

She's talking about Fr. Jim........

Small wonderful world

We sent her all the ways to contact Fr. Jim and send the donation.......

Very nice. She can always send the funds by Western Union...

Just a reminder that Easter is coming up (March 31) and is a big deal for Catholics because it's when the new members who have been preparing for the sacraments are baptized and/or confirmed. Fr. Jim has been doing a great job of outreach to the children in Negril, and several of them will be joining the church as full members. I just sent a donation in commemoration of this.

I cant wait to come back to Negril because Im bringing some flipflops and educational related materials with me.

wonderful, absolutely wonderful.
Father Jim, we missed you back in Feb but will be back next week. We have a number of items to drop off which are as previously requested. Are there certain times that work best for you? We are also hoping to get down to the soup kitchen and discuss our long range plans with you and the rotary.

Many thanks for all you work for the people of Negril both religiously and humanitarian in scope,
Ron

This will be on my must visit places this trip.