At St. Anne Parish in Ridge Manor, one parishioner is living out this call to serve, making a meaningful impact on her community.

For the past four years, Rosemary Dohan has served her neighbors in need by operating the parish food pantry. After moving to Ridge Manor in 2019 following the passing of her husband, she quickly found a new spiritual home at St. Anne Parish.

“A friend introduced me to the parish, and I just fell in love with it,” Rosemary said. “St. Anne’s is a little country church that has so much charm and is led by the amazing Father Hays. It’s a second home to me. I just love it.”

The parish’s food pantry faced an uncertain future when the St. Vincent de Paul Society concluded its involvement. Father John Hays, the pastor at St. Anne, was determined to continue serving the community. He asked Rosemary and a group of parishioners if they would be willing to step in and keep the pantry running.

In 2022, the group rebuilt the pantry from the ground up. What began with just one refrigerator and freezer has grown significantly. Today, the pantry includes four large freezers and three refrigerators, stocked through generous donations from local grocery stores, nearby farms, and parishioners.

The ministry has also grown in its reach. Last year, the pantry served 140 families, 40 of whom have been visiting since it reopened in 2022. Unlike traditional food pantries, the ministry at St. Anne Parish is designed to feel more like a small grocery store.

“This way people can shop around and take what they actually need and want,” Rosemary said. “We began with nonperishable goods and have since expanded to include many fresh items like meat, milk, and eggs.”

Rosemary is quick to credit the parish community for the pantry’s success.

“The St. Anne’s parishioners are our pantry,” she said. “Everyone contributes by bringing in items and helping make this ministry run. I owe it all to them and share this great joy with my fellow parishioners.”

But it is Rosemary’s personal approach to serving others that makes the ministry especially meaningful.

“I try to really get to know the people we serve and build relationships with them,” she said. “Each person who walks through our doors is truly special and deserves to be treated that way. You don’t just walk in, get food, and leave. We do all we can to get to know our community members and help them.”

The pantry has expanded beyond food to include clothing and other essentials. In December, Rosemary organized a blanket drive, distributing more than 80 blankets to those in need. In January, she collected coats, jackets, and sweaters to help families through the colder months. During the Easter season, parishioners also donate additional items to support families with children who rely on the pantry.

The pantry will celebrate four years of service and community impact this April. Rosemary recalls one young man who regularly rode his bicycle to the pantry from a nearby mobile home park. When she noticed he had no shoes, the parish community stepped in to help.

“We bought him sneakers, and I gave him some shirts from my grandson,” she remembered. “He was the sweetest, kindest young man.”

Though he later passed away after suffering a stroke, Rosemary says his kindness left a lasting impact on her. Through it all, her faith continues to guide her work.

“I feel that God has given me this opportunity. Even when food runs low, He always provides. Something will come out of nowhere and fall into my lap. I just know He is there for me all the time and has been with me every step of this journey.”

For Rosemary, serving others is part of the calling she believes God has placed on her life.

“I’ve always loved taking care of people,” she said. “It’s something near and dear to my heart.”

As the Lenten season reminds us, acts of love and generosity, no matter how simple, can make an impactful difference in the lives of others.

“If you believe and pray,” Rosemary said, “God will always provide.” 

For more information about St. Anne Parish in Ridge Manor, click here.