A special anniversary was quietly marked recently at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont. Ten years ago Martin Scott, the business administrator at the time for St. Anthony, shared during Mass that there was a need at Some Other Place and a ministry was born.
Some Other Place provides a hot meal to the needy Monday thru Friday and a light lunch on Saturday. When parishioners learned there was a need for a Sunday meal for the clients of Some Other Place, they responded by gathering each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. and preparing 72 lunches which consist of a sandwich, fruit and chips.
Long-time volunteer Mary Beth Jones shares that those that help in the ministry have the process of preparing the lunches down to a fine art.
“If you plan on helping, you should really get to the church a few minutes before 9,” Jones said. “If you run a little late, we’re going to be finished!”
Over the years, the good people of St. Anthony who volunteer in the Sunday Sack Lunch Ministry have prepared more than 37,000 sack lunches.
Volunteer Beverly Ephron does the shopping and sometimes provides a home made cake. Others donate snacks or special items during the holidays that brighten the Sunday mornings of the less fortunate who come to Some Other Place for sustenance.
Jones shares that those who meet them at Some Other Place for lunch are very appreciative, respectful and enjoy a visit.
“We like to think of it as neighbors helping neighbors,” Jones said.
