The Good Shepherd Parish in Oak Bluffs normally helps out about 80 Island families with bags of food on Saturday mornings.
This Saturday, the day before Easter, the Catholic church parish had handed out chock-full bags of food to 200 families by noon. And there were still hundreds of food baskets to go.
“It’s crazy,” said Joe Capobianco, who works with the church and was handing out baskets Saturday morning. “It looks like we already have over twice as many. These are hard times for everyone.”
Beginning at around 10 a.m., a line of cars, hundreds of vehicles long, stretched from the Oak Bluffs town hall to Our Market on New York avenue, all waiting to pick up food for their families. By the time they arrived at the parish building on School street, trunks were raised and windows were down, as a finely-honed system of masked-and-gloved volunteers placed bags of chicken, milk, onions, broccoli stir fry, corn, fruits and veggies in the back of their cars.
In an effort to limit exposure to the coronavirus, the volunteers consisted almost entirely of Mr. Capobianco’s family, as well as parish outreach coordinator Janay Dlabaj and her daughter. They remained upbeat throughout the morning — even masks unable to hide their smiles.
When cars came up, the volunteers didn’t ask for names, only the number of people in the family.
“Everybody’s been grateful,” said volunteer Laura Schubert. “Each week it’s grown exponentially, like the virus itself.”
Part of the Rev. Father Michael Nagle’s outreach programming, the Good Shepherd Parish’s Feed My Sheep food basket service regularly take place on the second Saturday and Tuesday of every month. But since the coronavirus outbreak began, the church has transitioned to weekly handouts, as the virus continues to strain the resources of the Island.
“It’s never been like this,” Mr. Capobianco said.
The program is done in conjunction with the Greater Boston Food Bank. Every Friday, Mr. Capobianco makes the trip into the city to pick up the week’s delivery. Most of it comes at little or no cost. He normally picks up about 4,000 pounds of food. Last week, the number was closer to 10,000 pounds.
But this week he almost didn’t make it. Because of the bad weather and ferry cancellations on Friday, Mr. Capobianco decided to rush up to the city late Thursday in his rented Penske semi truck.
He caught one of the last ferries back to the Island, with a 14,000-pound truckload of food. It ensured that more than 200 Island families would have something to eat on Easter.
“Everybody is in need,” Mr. Capobianco said. “We’re just happy we can help.”
Heartwarming bless you
This is An amazing thing to do for people out of work on this island and hungry. A real Godsend, see what I did there? Thank you so much for everything you do.
This is a wonderful and much needed relief effort. Next week, consider letting the police know you are doing this. They could help with traffic control, etc, and were caught completely off guard by this unexpected gathering. We learn as we go. Thank you for feeding people.
Joey C. Is a year-round angel in a great costume. Bless him.
my family and I are immensely grateful for the help we are getting, our wish is that each one who is working tirelessly to help us, be greatly blessed by God. Thank you very much !!! we are very grateful.
Thank you very much!!! you are wonderful, God bless you all.
I was however sad to see that when the line on Pacific went all the way to New York Ave, a new line formed in front of the library. That new line then felt entitled and chose not to wait their turn. A battle of bumpers ensued at the intersection of School and Pacific. OBPD will need to intervene earlier next time.
I found it best not to continue down New York Ave. A main road. And I knew coming up school St. would not work either.
We thought it best to wait in front of the library. Why can’t people just alternate?
When there is need Islanders come together, that’s the Island way. I miss the MV family!
And awesome uplifting article to read on Easter morning. There is hope for all of us.
The island is a blessed community. We see it time and time again.
Pce and love to everyone on Martha’s Vineyard
Thank you so much for all you do for our community! God Bless you all.
I expected nothing less from Fr. Nagle and the Capobianco family. We miss Good Shepherd Parish. Very heart warming news during these trying times.
Just a wonderful outreach which is a tribute to Good Shepard, Fr. Nagle, the Capobianco family, the good people of the Food Bank,
and the MV community. God Bless you all and our world as we together look out for one another every day.
Joe, you are the best- always doing good work!
This is amazing! God bless you all! I had no idea about the Good Shepard’s outreach. Thank you so much Fr. Mike and Mr. Capobianco and family!!!