Parish Outreach is at the heart of Social Ministry. Dedicated volunteers provide direct services to families and individuals in need who are members of the parish or live within the geographic boundaries of St. Martin of Tours Parish (Amityville, East Massapequa, and parts of North Amityville & Amity Harbor) Office Hours are Monday-Friday, 10:00AM-12:30PM & 1:30-4:00PM. Please call 631-264-4840 for assistance!
Food Pantry: The food pantry is stocked with dry goods as well as refrigerated and frozen foods. Clients may obtain food from the Pantry once a month. Donations are accepted during operating hours, in the Church on the weekends, or by special arrangement with the Director.
Financial Assistance: In coordination with the Department of Social Services, Catholic Charities, and/or United Way, financial grants for utilities and rent/mortgage may be applied for. Outreach also provides limited direct financial assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, prescriptions, and other instances, if a plan of action for the future is arranged.
Guidance: Trained volunteers can guide you through the red tape of government assistance and other programs that may benefit your situation.
Advocacy: Volunteers can advocate on your behalf with the Department of Social Services, PSEG, National Grid, Catholic Charities, etc. Volunteers can also help fill out some basic forms.
Transportation: Volunteer drivers can provide rides to local doctors for the elderly and disabled, as well as deliver food from Outreach’s Pantry. Suffolk County Transit bus tickets are also available for various appointments.
Clothing: Vouchers for free clothing and other necessities from St. Martin’s Cloak Room Thrift Store are given seasonally.
CFSP (FAN) Program: Outreach hosts this Catholic Charities food program for income eligible seniors on the First Friday of every month, 12:00-1:00PM.
Citizenship Program: Provides counseling, advocacy and tutoring for documented people hoping to become American Citizens. Contact Mary Kearns at 631-264-0749.
Living Parish Outreach in parish life
The purpose of this resource is not simply to answer a question, but to help people feel supported as they take part in parish life. For Parish Outreach, that often begins with a little preparation: reading the information carefully, speaking with someone who can help, and allowing enough time for a thoughtful decision. No one needs to arrive with every answer. A parish community exists so that questions can be asked openly and people can move forward at a pace that is realistic for their family and circumstances.
It is useful to connect this topic with the ordinary rhythm of worship. Sunday Mass, quiet prayer during the week, and small acts of service give information a lived context. They also help children, visitors, and longtime members see that parish life is not a collection of separate programs. It is a shared practice of listening, learning, celebrating, and caring for one another. When the next step is clear, it becomes easier to participate with confidence.
A practical way to begin
Start with what is already possible. Read the relevant page, write down any detail that needs clarification, and contact the parish office when a conversation would be more helpful than a form. Take a quiet moment after Mass to reflect on what would be most helpful now. A small, specific step is more likely to become a lasting habit than an ambitious plan that cannot fit into ordinary responsibilities.
- Review the information before making a commitment.
- Bring practical questions to a parish contact or ministry leader.
- Choose one way to stay connected through worship, learning, or service.
Staying connected
Parish resources are most helpful when they lead people toward relationship rather than leaving them to navigate alone. You can consult Mass times when planning a visit, explore prayer and devotions for ongoing spiritual support, or use the parish contact page for a question that needs a personal response. These links are meant as useful next steps, not as a substitute for conversation.
As needs change, return to this information and check for updates. Some people will be ready to volunteer, while others may simply need a place to pray quietly or learn more. Both are meaningful forms of participation. The parish welcomes each person with patience, respect, and room to grow. By taking one faithful step at a time, Parish Outreach can become part of a deeper and more connected life of faith.
