Belmont-Cragin parish holds drive for migrant families

Parishioners at Sts. Genevieve and Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish, located in Chicago’s Belmont-Cragin neighborhood, hosted a back-to-school drive to benefit migrant families and local community members in need on Aug. 12, 2023 at the St. Stanislaus Church campus, 5352 W. Belden Ave. Volunteers collected backpacks, clothing, blankets, school supplies, toys, baby supplies and kitchen essentials earlier in the day in the parish parking lot. Families lined up as early as 7 a.m. for the 1 p.m. distribution. Due to the great need in the neighborhood with several migrant families nearby, the parish plans to have a second drive on Sept. 9, 2023 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. hoping for more donations to continue to help the families. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Nancy Hernandez, Sara Ospana and Rosemary Onesto help a little girl choose a backpack. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Lucy Lopez and Mariana Mesa sort through clothes donated to help migrant families. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Alisha Benavides and Barbara Maldonado, one of the organizers, check in with Dominic Maldonado who assembled hygiene kits. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Leslie Garcia, Abril Merino and Melina Merino fold clothes while waiting for the next rush of asylum seekers to come browse through items. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Maria Garcia waits to help families choose clothing. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Juan Pablo Benavides, assists a mom with picking out a toy for her daughter. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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