Monthly contributions are made to Portage County Catholic Charities and the 4C's Food Cupboard (Crestwood Coalition for Community Care). During several weekends in late August and early September, the Produce Sharing Table is offered for parishioners to share their excess garden produce. Any items leftover after the weekend Masses are given to the 4C's. They also help provide and serve one of the Free Community Meals annually.

Supporting the efforts of The Haven of Portage, a faith-based homeless shelter opening in Ravenna, OH committed to the holistic care of the homeless. Assisting the poor with rent, etc. Adoption of several families at Christmas time, working to make their days special by providing gifts and food.

Partners in interfaith Clothing Drive ... Mantua Center Christian Church and Hilltop Christian Church have organized a Free Clothing Giveaway for the greater Crestwood area several times a year. Providing free clothing to families in need, the events are held from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the old Mantua Center School (11741 Mantua Center Rd.). Find them on Facebook at Free-Clothing-Giveaway. You do not need to be a resident, there is no limit, and no questions are asked. The March 21st Free Clothing Giveaway has been cancelled & is now tentatively scheduled for April 25th due to the Corona pandemic. Upcoming giveaways include July 18 and November 21. Donations of clean, wearable condition clothing for all ages are welcome 24/7 at the yellow bin located at Mantua Center Christian Church.

St. Joseph Cares will be holding a clothing drive at St. Joseph Church the weekends of February 29/March 1, June 27/28, and October 31/November 1. Please have all clothes folded and bagged. Place in the All-Purpose Room near the windows. All clothes will be removed that weekend. To donate clothes at other times, please drop them off at Mantua Center Christian Church and not at St Joe’s. What a wonderful way to live out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy! Click here for an informational flyer.

St. Joseph Cares also serves those who use the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center on the second and fifth Tuesday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A program of Family and Community Services, the Portage County Clothing Center provides gently used clothing as available to low income families and individuals at no charge and also reduces the waste stream by recycling used clothing. Donations of clothing in good condition (clean, folded right side out; put in bags, boxes or on hangers; labeled-men, women, children) are accepted at the Center (3377 St. Rt. 59, Ravenna, Ohio 44266) during hours of service: Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; Tuesday Evenings 6:00-8:00 p.m.; 2nd Saturday of each month 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. clothes that are clean, folded and in manageable boxes. For more info., please call 330-296-0503.

Jail Book Drive has recently been started. Members also participate in Prison Ministry involving visitations, prayer services, and retreats.

Click here to learn more
about this ministry.

Cards are sent to those who are on St. Joseph Parish's prayer list and to those who have lost a loved one. The group also sends care packages to members of our parish who are serving in the military. If you have a son, daughter, or spouse who is currently serving and would appreciate this outreach, please forward their contact information to Angi Daczko. In addition, those who have lost a loved one or who are on our prayer intention list are sent a card from this group.
 

On the third Wednesday evening of each month, they entertain the folks of the Arbors of Streetsboro, a long-term skilled nursing care and short-term rehabilitation facility (formerly Maplewood Care Center) with a Bingo Night. An hour and a half is spent with the residents, who get great pleasure form their attendance. Bingo gifts and refreshments are also supplied (donations appreciated!).

In 2016/2017 an effort to bring more awareness to the addiction epidemic was also taken on. Bulletin blurbs highlight area programs and events to address this problem. 

Start Talking Portage is a local group of public and private Portage County residents dedicated to the critical fight against drug addiction. The coalition partners include resources from county medical, health and rehabilitation, law enforcement, local clergy, and private citizens. The group sponsors awareness about this epidemic through meetings, drug prevention programs and presentations. Look for the flyer in the Narthex that highlights upcoming events in Portage and surrounding counties. Start Talking Portage meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, S.R. 44 in Mantua. All are welcome. Please join them. Everyone is touched by this disease. Everyone has a voice. Please visit www.mental-health-recovery.org to view/download their Addiction Resource Guide.

In thanksgiving for the precious gift of life, St. Joseph Cares will be offering opportunities throughout the year to recognize and defend the most fundamental right that we all possess, the right to life. Our first opportunity will be the weekend before the national March for Life. On Saturday, January 18, right after the 5:00 p.m. Mass at St Joseph’s, we will be hosting a movie night and showing the movie “Unplanned”, the true story of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood employee. The event will be held in the parish's Hughes Hall. Bring a comfortable chair to sit in. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Please know that this movie deals with a very serious topic and so use your discretion in bringing younger children. For more info., please contact Joe & Angi Daczko (216-272-1506 or jdaczko@roadrunner.com).

To view a trailer visit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBLWpKbC3ww

Participants may also join the event through 
https://www.facebook.com/events/752242575181443/