ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — For 12 years, Bishop Guilfoyle Academy has held its annual St. Martin’s Cloak Food Collection.
It’s based on St. Martin, a Christian saint who founded monasteries in France. According to the school, he enrolled in the Roman Army before joining the Roman Catholic Church. According to legend, he once encountered a poor man on the road who was shivering in the cold, and St. Martin cut his military cloak in half with his sword to share with the beggar.
It’s what inspires Bishop Guilfoyle students to help their local community. Students bring donations to the school, and this year, they collected more than 20,000 items, ranging from non-perishable food, to household cleaning supplies and toiletries.
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“I just think it’s a good way to give back. You’re directly helping the community, which is really nice. And I enjoy hearing what, people in our community think they’re always super thankful for us doing this,” High School Senior, Joshua Warmath said.
They also partner with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Charities to distribute the food.
The following charities will benefit from the donations:
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Altoona Mountain Lion Backpack Program
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The Reaper’s Food Ministry
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28th Street Church of the Brethren
“It makes me feel very compassionate, you know, and if I was in that position, I would want to be cared for, and I think it’s just great that we’re such a small community and everybody’s just contributing like each and every one of us are. So I think it’s just great,” Abrie Rumfola, a Sophomore said.
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Since the St. Martin’s Cloak Project started 12 years ago, Bishop Guilfoyle students have collected more than 200,000 items for the local community.
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