Martin de Porres the patron saint of the poor in 1979 at St. Alphonsus Parish Schumacher. The mission supplied everything from food to furniture and clothing. He enlisted the help of Father Dan Bagley and Father Pat Lafleur of the Nativity of Our Lord Parish with raising funds for the mission and campaigned tirelessly to ensure that needy families did not go without. Martin de Porres Community Cha
rities is opened at the Costello Community Care Centre the former Nativity of our Lord Parish because he served as parish priest there before going to St. Alphonsus. Father Les was a very private person and did not like a lot of protocol, if he was here today he would be asking what all the fuss was about but he would be impressed with having St. Martin de Porres work continued and the opening of the food bank June 2006. There would be times when someone would say to him why are you helping these people and he would answer, don’t judge. Martin de Porres Board of Directors is continuing the work of Father Les by distributing furniture and opening up a food bank along with a household item section. Money raised from the sale of household items and furniture goes towards the food bank. We are accepting donations of food, furniture and household items also we really need volunteers to help us continue with Father Les’s work. Anyone who needs help or has donations or is willing to volunteer can call St. Martin de Porres (705) 264-0953 and if need be, leave a detailed message and someone will return the call.
