St. Mary Magdelene Social Ministries for St. James Ministry, Holy Rosary Food Bank, Holy Rosary Senior Center

St. James Ministries in Wilkinsburg, PA, Holy Rosary Food Bank in Homewood, and Holy Rosary Senior Center in Lincoln Lemington are all part of the St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Parish, serving Wilkinsburg and parts of Pittsburgh, including Homewood, Lincoln Lemington, East Hills, Point Breeze, and parts of Verona and Penn Hills with vital needs and services, including emergency rental and utility assistance and a food distribution program that provides food monthly, and on an emergency daily basis as well. Gently worn clothing and shoes, as well as some household items are also available. A program to help parents and other caregivers provides children's clothing and other necessities.

In January 2020, St. Mary Magdalene Parish was formed from the merger of three churches: St. Bede in Point Breeze, St.Charles Lwanga in Homewood, and St. James in Wilkinsburg. As a result of the merger, the social services provided at these churches has also merged, yet their physical presences has remained unique and distinct in the neighborhoods they have served for decades. St. James is home to the Ministry Center building behind St. James Church. For more than 35 years, Saint James has been a beacon of hope for Wilkinsburg and surrounding communities, especially as our neighborhood has weathered the storms of joblessness, poverty, aging, drugs and hopelessness . A food and paper products bank is run from that location, and provides help to individuals and families in crisis, meeting needs for food, financial assistance with rent, utilities, etc., clothing, household goods, etc. and supplies for children from birth to 10 years. Referrals to outside social agencies are made as necessary.

Testimonials

From a single mom with four children: "I went to St. James when I needed diapers, formula and clothing for my babies. Now that they are older, I have relied on the food pantry to help me feed my young teens, especially now that I have lost my job due to the pandemic. It's been a blessing."

From an older woman who lives alone: " I reached out to the Ministry Center because I live on disability and I don't have enough to pay my bills and buy food. If it weren't for the food pantry at St. James I don't know what I would do. I rely on them to feed myself and still keep up with my other expenses."