Meeting the need, one car at a time

The food distribution was supposed to start at 1 p.m., but because traffic was backing up on major thoroughfares, it began at 11:45 a.m., said Dominican Father Sergio Serrano, director of the Hispanic Apostolate Archdiocese of New Orleans. 
    

The distribution lasted until 2:15 p.m., with food being given to approximately 1,100 people. Food ran out before the cars stopped coming.
    

“The city of Kenner and police department called me and said I created chaos in the whole city of Kenner,” Father Serrano said. “They were concerned because people couldn’t get back to their homes.”
    

Kenner police eventually came and blocked the street to the apostolate because so many people were still waiting in line for the food.
    

“It was unbelievable how many people came,” Friar Serrano said. “I didn’t know that the need was so great. I had people calling me to see if I had food left.” Father Serrano stood amidst more than 60 volunteers who were filling trunks with bags of produce provided by local supermarket distributor CRC Global Solutions, which has a slogan of “We care! We share!”
 

A pent-up demand 
    

More than 450 bags of food had been prepared in advance. For the first 150 or so in line, the bags included meat, orange juice and other staples. Hundreds of bags of lettuce were placed in cars, and additional bags with various food items were being assembled as cars continued to drive by.
    

With so many people now unemployed due to the coronavirus forcing businesses to close, the food delivery was very welcomed.
    
“I lost my job and I have a family,” said one young man who stopped by the Hispanic Apostolate. He said the free food would help him tremendously.
    

Others thanked the volunteers as they drove by. Several messages were left in Spanish on the apostolate’s Facebook page: “Gracias, hermanos y hermanas”; “Bendiciones para todos, tienen un gran sacerdote”; and “Que bien. El Señor les multiplicara’. No hay como dar con amor.” 
 

Reaching many in need
    

Word of the free food distribution traveled fast. Father Serrano used social media to let the throngs of Latino Catholics know when and where it would be available.
    

Two, refrigerated 18-wheelers filled with food first had stopped by the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Northshore Pastoral Center in Mandeville on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Arrangements are being made to go to the West Bank soon.
    

In addition to the food donations, Father Serrano said the Hispanic Apostolate continues to empty its own food pantry and is now collaborating with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and Second Harvest to regularly distribute food at the apostolate, 2525 Maine Ave., Metairie (behind the Home Depot on Veterans and Roosevelt boulevards).
 

Worked with supplier
    

He said he had forged a relationship with CRC in the past, and when the food supplier has excess food, the Hispanic Apostolate is notified. 
    

“They call me and we deliver the service,” he said. 
    

Father Serrano said he is keeping in touch with people at the Hispanic Apostolate Monday through Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. He recites the rosary at 3 p.m. and celebrates Mass (via livestream) there daily at 6 p.m. and does confessions and spiritual direction with Father Manuel Solorzano. 
    

From his residence at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in New Orleans, Father Serrano conducts live morning prayer (Laudes) at 8 a.m., the Angelus at noon and night prayer at 9 p.m. He also talks to people on the phone. On weekends, the only change is Mass is celebrated live at 10 a.m. Visit https://www.facebook.com/friarsergio or https://www.facebook.com/groups/1453914124830956/
 

Online classes 
    

Other regularly scheduled faith formation includes Bible classes via Skype on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and catechism Thursday at 7 p.m. from the Hispanic Apostolate site. Using the Zoom video platform, there are RCIA classes at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Bible classes on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Young Adult group meetings on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. 
    

“It is really bad what is happening,” Father Serrano said. “Some people live out of their daily paycheck. People have been out of work, and they don’t have money anymore. We need to help people. They know they can always come here to the Hispanic Apostolate for help.” 
    

For details, contact saserrano@arch-no.org or msolorzano@arch-no.org.
    

Christine Bordelon can be reached at cbordelon@clarionherald.org.