Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., joins Catholic Foundation of Rhode Island Executive Director Tim McCaig in awarding the St. Mary of the Bay Parish Food Pantry and Outreach Ministry each $5,000 to supplement the good works they do.
PHOTO: RICK SNIZEK
February 28, 2026
BY RICK SNIZEK, Executive Editor
WARREN — Although nestled in a small, tree-lined suburb of Providence, St. Mary of the Bay Parish has made an outsized impact on the greater community through its highly active social ministries.
Two of those ministries, the parish food pantry and homeless outreach, have eased the burden for many individuals and households facing food insecurity or eviction.
Last year, the SMB Food Pantry distributed 346,796 lbs. of food, serving 9,228 individuals, an average of 794 people per month.
The food pantry, open to those in need on Tuesdays from 3-6 p.m., and Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m., was so successful that it added 361 new households in 2025, an average of 30 new clients per month.
A separate, but equally important lifeline provided at SMB Ministries is the parish’s outreach ministry, which provides rental assistance, help with utility payments and in some cases help with some medical expenses has been provided.
The Catholic Foundation of Rhode Island, showing its commitment to support social ministries that make a difference in the community, dispersed a grant for $10,000 to assist SMB Ministries in its good works in the community, allocating $5,000 to the food pantry and $5,000 to support the outreach ministry.
“Thank you for all you do for the good of the Church, through your service and dedication, we are very grateful,” Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., said, praising the efforts of all the St. Mary of the Bay volunteers to offer such dedicated, life-giving outreach to those in greatest need among us.
Father Joseph Upton, pastor of St. Mary of the Bay Parish, said he was quite pleased to receive the grant, which enables his parish community to make an even larger impact in Warren and far beyond.
“It makes me very happy,” he said. “Our programs and ministries are very vital. People rely upon them for their health, their well-being. So, this is just going to help shore up our already pivotal ministries. I’m very excited.”
Tim McCaig, executive director of the Catholic Foundation, and Joanne Speroni-Woody, chairperson of the Foundation’s Board of Advisors, presented the check at St. Mary of the Bay on Feb. 20.
Funding for the grant was made possible through the St. Casimir Endowment Fund, which is dedicated to supporting outreach ministries in Bristol County. This fund is one of more than 400 endowments managed by the Catholic Foundation, a non-profit corporation within the Diocese of Providence.
Each endowment invested with the Catholic Foundation is created to support a specific parish, school, charity or other Catholic ministry as specified by the donor.
“These endowments are ‘perpetual funds,’ meaning that the principal is not spent but rather prudently invested to enable an annual grant of 4.5% of each fund’s three-year average market value,” said McCaig. “The result is a perpetual source of income that supports the long-term health and planning of Rhode Island’s parishes, schools, cemeteries and ministries.”
Advisory Board Chairperson Speroni-Woody said it was “energizing” to see all the good work being done by SMB Ministries and how it touches so many within the community as well as those from across the local area who come for help.
“This was faith in action on so many levels, with all these wonderful volunteers putting their faith into action doing this work along with the faithful who created the fund that allowed for this distribution,” she said.
Wendy Baker, director of the St. Mary of the Bay Food Pantry, said she was thrilled that the food pantry and outreach ministries at her parish were being recognized for their efforts with the grant, which will enable her ministry to purchase even more food to distribute.
“In addition to food acquired through our affiliation with the RI Community Food Bank, we take advantage of every opportunity to provide nutritious food to our neighbors. We actively solicit food donations from businesses and individuals, including fresh eggs and produce from local farms,” Baker said.
Food Pantry Assistant Director Dee Proulx said she was very pleased to receive the funding from the Catholic Foundation of Rhode Island, and she is anxious to fill the pantry’s shelves to assist even more people in need.
“We go out and purchase food with any funds that we receive,” said Proulx.
Philip Beaulieu, who has been part of the St. Mary of the Bay Outreach Ministry for 30 years, manages the ministry’s funds on behalf of its president, parishioner Mike Gifford.
“It’s a joy to see smiles on people’s faces, relieved to receive some help when they’re in desperate situations. Many times, they don’t know where to turn to anymore, and they consider us their lifeline,” Beaulieu said, adding that the $5,000 grant from the Catholic Foundation of RI will allow them to help even more people through challenging times.
“We’ve helped people who just lost their job and had nowhere to go. We were able to cover much of their expenses to get them over that hump to be able to get back on their feet,” he said.
He said that Christmas is an especially joyous time for the volunteers, who delight in making the season bright for those in need.
“We go out and make all our deliveries of presents and gift cards. We go to St. Michael [the Archangel], and St. Patrick churches in Providence, the DCYF group home across the street and our Corliss deaf community,” Beaulieu said. “This is all possible from our parish family that donates a tremendous amount of support, around $12,000 last year alone in presents, gift cards, toys, clothing for all ages.”
Father Upton said that his parish’s ministries have been called upon 24/7 for aid.
“The outreach is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week thing, the food pantry is as well,” he said.
“Along with our team, the network of partners they’ve built up in the community is remarkable. We’re always able to say to someone, if we can’t help you, we can get you the help that you need.”
McCaig said that by establishing or contributing to an endowment fund, one can ensure that the causes they or their family members care about are supported perpetually, providing stability and growth for the ministries, schools, parishes, or charities closest to their heart.
To create an endowment fund or to learn more about the process, please contact Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation of Rhode Island Tim McCaig, at 401-865-6851.