Ministries that participated include Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Daystar Life Services, St. Vincent de Paul, and Bikes from the Heart.

“I truly believe that having many services available is the key to getting people the help they need,” said AnnMarie Briercheck, Director of Daystar. “This event allows us to introduce people to different resources so they can connect with services they may need in the future.”

During the event, volunteers provided hot meals, spiritual guidance, haircuts, shoes, clothing, and bicycles. Also, nine homeless individuals scheduled appointments to receive mental health counseling and 11 individuals received referrals for a housing assessment. One woman in need found refuge at a domestic violence shelter. St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners handed out "Blessing Bags" containing personal care items and $5 gift cards for Wendy’s.

Father Diaz worked closely with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Petersburg to make this event possible.  

“We have been planning this event since February,” said Father Glenn Diaz.

“The problems homeless people experience can be overwhelming and intimidating, but like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, founder of the Missionaries of Charity said, ‘if you cannot feed 100 people, just feed one.”

Catholic Charities is a leader in providing services to the homeless in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties but is looking to expand.

“As Catholic Charities works to expand our presence in Citrus County, including working to create Citrus Hope, an adult homeless shelter, we were excited to partner with St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and Fr. Diaz to organize this important homeless outreach event," said Maggie Rogers, Executive Director of Catholic Charities. 

Father Diaz hopes this is the first of many outreach events that the parish hosts in Citrus County. He is grateful for all the helping hands.

“Contributions, whether big or small, have helped create a brighter and more inclusive future for all,” Father Diaz stated. “I am looking forward to continuing this important ministry in the future.”  

Here is the list of organizations/ministries that participated in the homeless outreach event:

Catholic Charities, Daystar Life Services, Citrus County Housing Services, Nature Coast Ministries- No Cost Dental, Sacred Heart Bikes from the Heart, Mid Florida Homeless Coalition, Knights of Columbus Council #15154, LifeStream Behavioral Center, Love More Ministry, Society of Vincent de Paul, and volunteers/parishioners from St. Thomas the Apostle