The key motto of “Not I but We” at St. Joe did not die when COVID-19 hit. The importance of service to the dear neighbor is still strongly encouraged and required by St. Joe. 

The minimum requirement for service hours for freshmen is 12 hours. For sophomores, it is 15, and for juniors, it is 20. As for seniors, they need 20 hours in addition to their senior service projects at the end of the year. 

While service can be difficult in uncertain times, students, like junior Sarah Miner, still believe performing service is a great way to live out her faith.

“It is a wonderful way to spread God’s love,” Sarah said. “There is no better way to put others first and show our love to the neighbor, other than service.”

Another junior, Lexi Hartman, adds how important she thinks it is to help out those communities and “builds relationships” with others we don’t see every day.

“ Not only is service helpful for others, it is truly a win-win situation,” Lexi said.  “Service makes me feel good and I have fun whenever I am serving others.”

With a strange time at hand, many St. Joe students may be wondering how they can serve the dear neighbor. Despite the uncertainty, there are still many different and safe service opportunities throughout the St. Louis area:

1.Red Cross Blood Donations

Donating blood can save lives.

Find out more information about donating blood at www.redcrossblood.org.

2.Meals on Wheels

Through this organization, people safely deliver meals to the doorsteps of those in need, typically the sick and elderly. 

Find out more on how to donate or volunteer your time at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

3.The St. Louis Food Bank

If one feels comfortable, the St. Louis Food Bank is in desperate need of volunteers to box food together for the hungry. 

If one does not feel comfortable going in person, they can donate food instead of their time. 

Find out more information on how to help at https://stlfoodbank.org/volunteer-opportunities/.

4.St. Louis Area Diaper Bank

The St. Louis Diaper Bank supplies diapers for those who cannot afford the constant struggle of buying diapers, which are very expensive. 

There are many ways to help the diaper bank. Some include: giving time through volunteering at the diaper bank and donating diapers to the diaper bank. 

Find out more information on how to assist the diaper bank at https://www.stldiaperbank.org/donate.

5.St. Patrick’s Center

St. Patrick’s Center provides care for the homeless.

This service can consist of donating time, donating money, donating clothes, or donating food. Their most popular program is the casserole program. 

Find out more information to help out at https://stpatrickcenter.org/volunteer/.

6.Society of St. Vincent De Paul

Through St. Vincent De Paul, a person can donate a wide range of products to give to the needy in the St. Louis area. 

Find out more information at https://svdpstlouis.org/ways-help. 

These are just a few of the many ways that a person can help and serve the dear neighbor in St. Louis. These service opportunities provide students with service hours, but it means much more than that. It means spreading love to others, bringing joy into their lives, and giving back to the community as a whole.