St Alexius Outreach Ministries

MOBILE DELIVERY TENNESSEE. St. Alexius Outreach Ministries Mobile Delivery TN delivers emergency food boxes door to door to participants who lack transportation or mobility and are unable to pick up food from the Chattanooga Area Food bank. Together with our community partners we provide a safety net in times of crisis. Emergency requests are made to the United Way 211 call center and the food is delivered Monday thru Friday within a 25 mile radius of the Chattanooga central area. In 2023, SAOM delivered over 7,800 emergency food boxes to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Our program values compassion, dignity of the poor, care of the poor, holism and partnership as we engage to nourish those at risk of hunger and provide emergency assistance with healthy food.

SHOPPING SHUTTLE SERVICES The Shopping Shuttle Services provides door to door round trip transportation to shopping facilities for older adults and disabled who reside in subsidized housing complexes in Chattanooga TN. We promote the health and welfare of vulnerable individuals by providing access to stores with nutritional food while concurrently providing opportunities for socialization. The areas of service are geographically considered food deserts, lacking adequate grocery stores, markets, and healthy food providers. A driver and social worker assist and advocate for each participant and also aide with loading and unloading of groceries. Many older adults and disabled cannot drive because of hearing, vision, mobility or health conditions or they do not own an automobile. Transportation is a vital link to a critical service that assures access to food with a free reliable ride and aids participants to live independently in their communities. For 2023 the Van Shuttle transported over 5,000 passengers. There are no fees for these services which foster independence, self-sustainability and can reduce social and economic inequalities by enhancing mobility with access to quality markets.

SENIOR CENTER FOOD DELIVERY The need for healthy accessible food has never been greater. In direct response to our community needs expressed by the United Way, the Senior Center Food Delivery ministry purchases groceries, packages and delivers supplemental bags of groceries directly to Senior Centers. Our motivation is to create solutions to end hunger. In 2023 we provided 1,920 bags to 8 senior centers in southeast Tennessee counties. The Senior Center Food Delivery program is a vital lifeline "answering the call" in-ongoing service to a vulnerable population lacking the means and resources to secure these basic needs.

MOBILE DELIVERY ILLINOIS The Mobile Delivery in Illinois delivers food packages for low-income adult seniors and families that are homebound in the west side of Chicago. In partnership with the Franciscans of the Eucharist, the Mission of Our Lady of Angels Food Distribution Center provides food packages that SAOM delivers, at no charge each week to recipient homes or drop off points for further distribution with dignity and compassion to those in need. For 2023, SAOM delivered 12,512 food packages to individuals and families and additionally Feed to Go bags for those on street corners or in homeless camps. As the projected need for food is growing our program has increased by more than 20% in 2023. Our values include compassion, dignity of the poor, care of the poor, holism and partnership as we offer physical nourishment and spiritual/holistic care for disadvantaged individuals and families. SAOM commits to prioritize racial and social economic justice and health equality.