Contact: Christine Gerety  |  (310) 566-1531  | 

Our Outreach to Those Experiencing Homelessness in Our Community

As part of our outreach to the local community, St. Monica regularly contributes to and volunteers with local organizations that serve the local poor, particularly the homeless in our midst.

We currently have four great teams of volunteers: the St. Robert's Center Weekend Food Pantry Team and our three Transitional Shelters [PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), Samoshel, Turning Point] and are hoping to expand our regular outreach to the St. Francis Center in Downtown L.A.

See below about how you can help!

St. Robert’s Center Weekend Food Pantry/Transitional Shelters

We partner with Catholic Charities at the St. Robert’s Center, helping to prepare and distribute meals, toiletries and clothing to the homeless in our community. The St. Robert’s Center fills a very critical need in our area—since its inception many years ago, the St. Robert’s Center is the only weekend food pantry on the Westside. Every six weeks, volunteers serve on Saturday, preparing sack lunches for people in need, and distributing clothing and toiletries as needed.

Before we entered in the COVID-19 Safer at Home time, our three Transitional Shelters (PATH, Samoshel & Turning Point) would serve at a Transitional Shelter once a month.  During COVID-19, however, the shelters have the staffing they need, so we're focusing our efforts on the St. Robert's Center for the time being!  Our Transitional Shelter ministries are grateful for this current opportunity and look forward to returning to their main locations when those opportunities arise.

How Can I Help?

We volunteer spots available on both Saturday May 15, and Saturday, June 12.

To reserve your spot, please contact Christine at  

What Will I Be Doing?

The volunteer shift is from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., and the Center has instituted health & safety precautions (gloves, masks, social distancing, and a contactless "Grab & Go" distribution). At particular points during the year, we may collect items that the Center especially needs.

Volunteers will set up the outdoor distribution tables; prepare, pack & distribute sack lunches to clients; serve coffee; and clean up at the end of the morning.  When items are available, volunteers can also assist with distributing toiletries and clothing.

I'm Curious to Know More about the St. Robert's Center and Catholic Charities

Check out the St. Robert's Center Website by CLICKING HERE!

St. Francis Center Breakfast Program

Since 2012, participants of our JustFaith program have served homeless and near homeless members of the underserved community at St. Francis Center (SFC) in downtown L.A..  We work with the Order of Malta, preparing and serving breakfast for up to 300 individuals several Saturdays each month. 

How Can I Help?

St. Monica is serving at SFC on  Saturday, Jun. 5. 

We need seven (7) volunteers from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  Never done this before?  Don't worry—we'll teach you everything you need to know!

To reserve your spot, please contact Dennis at . 

If all goes well, we hope to make this a regular commitment, and would love for you to be a part of it.   

What Will I Be Doing?

SFC provides a hearty breakfast to our guests!  You'll be helping to prepare and distribute meals in a Grab & Go process. 

On a typical Saturday, we prepare turkey bacon, eggs, grilled vegetables, toast, fruit parfait (or comparable), coffee and water for approximately 170 guests.  We arrive between 6:30 & 6:45 a.m.  The Center distributes “to-go” containers beginning at 8:15 a.m.  service ends at about 9:30 a.m.  We then clean up and complete our work at about 10:30 a.m. 

When we can safely do so in line with COVID-19 guidance, we look forward to serving sit-down "restaurant style" breakfasts, which are truly blessed "immersion" experiences for all.

I'm Curious to Know More about the St. Francis Center

The mission of St. Francis Center, founded in 1972, is to serve homeless and near homeless families and individuals in the underserved neighborhoods of Greater Los Angeles in the manner of St. Francis of Assisi by (1) serving their immediate needs;(2) educating, empowering and accompanying them; (3) providing them with the tools necessary to build better lives and neighborhoods; and (4) addressing the systemic causes of poverty through advocacy.

To learn more, visit SFC at St. Francis Center Los Angeles - Serving Hope.