More information about St. Anthony's Kitchen

[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

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[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

[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!

[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

[Moonlight Villa]

Here are some of the children from St. Anthony's Soup Kitchen...Don from Bounce about Jamaica donated the balls and uniforms

Here is a picture of the school bus

Father Jim Bok and a few of the children who use the school bus

Some of the Volunteers and Staff who help at the St. Anthony's Kitchen

[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

[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..

[St. Anthony's Kitchen]

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

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!

[St. Anthony's Kitchen]

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!

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

[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

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